8-19-08 by dugan
Here in Vegas, the temperature outside is low 100s, but I can crank the hotel room down to 60 degrees–true energy-sucking extravagance. But the cabbies and doormen, when I ask how to get to the University of Las Vegas, all ask if I’m going to "the conference"–The National Clean Energy Summit. The anomaly of green power awareness in this baking-hot casino mecca makes more sense when I talk to a few Las Vegas architects, who mention the growing business awareness that the city and its gambling palaces have to go green or else–they must save water, save energy, build greener to survive.
It’s not a cheerful time for good energy legislation in Washington, but at UNLV the focus is on post-Bush–no matter who. Looking toward some serious U.S. catch-up in developing renewable power–great big wind and solar-thermal arrays to power Las Vegas, for instance–with a dose of honesty about how clean doesn’t come free, at least not up-front.
Last night’s kickoff speech was by Bill Clinton in full wonk mode, with ten-point and five-point plans. He wound up with a suggestion that Nevada, given its huge sun and wind resources, could become the "first energy-independent U.S. state" and "rock the world." Or Puerto Rico could do the same, and stop importing every watt and drop it uses, which would kick-start its long-faltering economy. Nice to hear the big thoughts.
Today, though, it’s lots of panels, which we’ll hear while squirming on our uncomfortable metal folding chairs in a basketball arena. The first speech will be by oil and natural gas tycoon T. Boone Pickens, whose "Pickens Plan" (wind plus natural gas = energy independence) is gaining attention–but among this crowd, also growing skepticism. More later.