We need solar to diversify our energy imports away from countries like Russia so let’s choose our SRP leaders wisely

This week has been an emotional one. We welcomed our new baby, Olivia, to the world on 3/1/22. It’s hard to not be extremely grateful, emotional, and realize how lucky we are when we see what is happening in Ukraine. Babies are being born in bomb shelters and thousands are evacuating Ukraine as I write this. I cannot fathom what it would be like to have our baby in a situation like what is occurring in Ukraine. We need to build a country that is not reliant on corporations and oil imports for the future sustainability of our country.

America has a problem with oil

America has a major issue regarding how much oil we import. In 2020 we imported 7.86 million barrels of oil. Think for a minute of all the major oil-exporting countries. How many of them do you believe are friendly to the United States?

Oil exporting countries

  1. Saudi Arabia: US$113.7 billion (17.2% of exported crude oil)
  2. Russia: $72.6 billion (11%)
  3. Iraq: $50.8 billion (7.7%)
  4. United States: $50.3 billion (7.6%)
  5. United Arab Emirates: $47.9 billion (7.2%)
  6. Canada: $47.6 billion (7.2%)
  7. Kuwait: $28.3 billion (4.3%)
  8. Nigeria: $25.2 billion (3.8%)
  9. Kazakhstan: $23.7 billion (3.6%)
  10. Norway: $22.7 billion (3.4%)
  11. Angola: $20.2 billion (3.1%)
  12. Brazil: $19.6 billion (3%)
  13. United Kingdom: $16.1 billion (2.4%)
  14. Oman: $15 billion (2.3%)
  15. Mexico: $14.9 billion (2.2%)

Let’s start with Saudia Arabia. In 2018 they decided they would lure Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist for the Washington Post, into an Istanbul consulate and chop him to pieces. The most protected form of free speech should be given to our journalists.

The second on the list is Russia as we speak they are invading Ukraine. Killing and destroying everything in their way. The list of issues goes on…

Oil, energy, and SRP

Let’s get to what all this has to do with our future and the future for our children. There is only one way for the United States to diversify away from our oil imports, electric cars and solar. While solar and electric cars are not perfect they are the best chance we have at diversifying away from our oil imports and reliance on nations not friendly to our country. Note that I said diversify, not eliminate. I don’t think that’s rational as there are necessary use cases for oil that will always exist.

In order for solar to be sustainable, we need something called “net metering” essentially what this means is if you install solar on your house and overproduce electricity on a net annual basis you should only be charged for the net energy that you use (consumption – production). Unfortunately under the current leadership of David Rousseau and John Hoopes, and other corporate cronies this is not happening. They tout on their expensive mailer that they are solar-friendly and their opponents are bought by special interest groups. But one only has to look as far as the amount of money they are spending on their campaigns to know that they are backed by institutional donations. As America forges ahead with the democratization of electricity through rooftop solar installations they are exactly the type of politicians that get in the way. They push for centralized solar like the large-scale solar farms you see in the desert. These installations, while great for the environment, take all the financial benefit for the consumer and only benefit the corporations installing them.

I have 20kw of solar installed on my house. This provides about 100% of my electricity usage a year. Last year we installed solar on my parent’s house. Based on the current SRP plans and not recognizing net metering it kills the ROI for the average homeowner.

Trust Fund Kids and antiquated elections

SRP elections are antiquated and regressive. The more land you own the more votes you get. Yes, you read that right. The more land you own your elite vote suppresses all of the commoners. So if you visit the website of the existing SRP members you’ll see endorsements from trust fund kids who have inherited their money and political positions largely due to family inheritance and their religious connections. That is what allows these people to stay in power.

So as these two corporate shills would say “Keep your eye out” for your ballot this year. But be careful as there is more than meets the eye in the deception of their mailer. Let’s vote for a future for our kids. A future where electricity is decentralized and affordable through solar. Vote for the SRP Clean Energy team.

How to get a ballot

You will not receive a ballot even if you are a registered early voter. SRP has its own early ballot list. You can request one, here.

Important Dates

Wednesday, March 9th early ballots

Friday, March 25th last day to request early ballots

Tuesday, April 5th Election Day

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