In this myth busting series, we explore the misinformation & disinformation surrounding renewable resources. There are many reasons for the proliferation of these myths, not the least of which is a desire to forward an agenda. Various players have a vested interest in thwarting alternative energy development. Others simply seem to be sharing these myths as fact, unaware of the propaganda value. As we have stated before, “The mythology of renewable energy has grown as rapidly as the field itself.” Alternative energy & its harvesting techniques are not flawless beyond any stretch of the imagination; however failure to develop & perfect these energies is not a solution to our power problems. One of the most common myths promoted as a concern by green energy opponents is the affordability issue.

Renewable energy development is still in the infant stages. The development of alternative energy resources is not cheap, it is not easy, but progress is being made everyday. Renewable energy development is proving to be worth the cost, & performance is driving energy cost reduction. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCSUSA) has found that, “The cost for wind & solar electricity has come down by 80-90 percent over the past two decades.” It can sometimes be easily argued that despite somewhat higher costs, the competition from renewable energy technologies suppress the costs of traditional fuels. The Electric Power Research Institute projects that the cost of renewable energy will continue fall to levels that are competitive with conventional energy sources over the next 5-15 years. Not to mention the reduction of human & environmental costs associated with fossil fuels.

It is important to remember that with some reliable renewable energy harvesting technologies, the initial set-up is costly & the resulting energy is free in many ways. Free from the higher labor costs associated with toxic fuels. Free from environmental costs associated with remediation of land & air. Free from economic forces that shift with limited fossil supplies.? According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a small wind-energy system is generally less expensive than its solar-powered counterpart. With few moving parts, wind turbines do not require much maintenance & operate practically automatically, while lowering your electric bill by fifty to ninety percent.

Even still there’re emerging renewable harvesting methods that will be less expensive than wind to implement.? Much of our electricity is produced by large central plants, & solar & atmospheric energy will not necessarily require ready access to the grid. These technologies can generate electricity nearer to where it is needed. This saves on the cost power transmission & distribution. This should improve efficiency & reliability of power systems.

One of the most commonly heard & unfounded arguments for the continued reliance on fossil fuels, is they areinexpensive. However, the real costs in terms of subsidies, & the effects on the environment & our health are hidden. The potential & actualized costs associated with toxic fuels are virtually unknown. The government services such as military protections of shipping lanes for oil transport & the stringent protection of nuclear energy plants is unaccounted for in the determination of cost efficiency. In the case of nuclear energy plants, the potential cost of clean-up in case of failure is incalculable & the government must be the “insurer of last resort,” as per the Federal Energy Bill of 2005, in which the industry was granted freedom from paying for law suits incurred.

The reason to “go green” should not actually be the economic costs alone, no matter how compelling. Many would argue that the primary reasons should be a healthier & safer future… As we deplete our fossil fuel supplies the costs will increase. The costs of renewables will decrease due to the increased demand. The sheer economy of scale will force the costs for renewables down as well. The advent of energy harvesting products such as the atmospheric electricity generator & the advancements in solar, wind, & tide resources eliminate one by one the reasons to resist renewables