Coal and nuclear energy produce unacceptable pollution that is devastating planet Earth with deadly poisons in the
air and water.  More than half of the rivers and streams in southeast Ohio have been killed by the polluting nature of coal.  To prevent the further degradation of more creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans and of the air, humanity must switch to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources that do not cause significant pollution.  This evolution is already underway, with the solar energy industry growing at 25 percent per year (see charts).  In June, 1997 President Bill Clinton said to the third UN conference on the environment, "We will work with business and communities to use the sun's energy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by installing solar panels on one million more roofs around our nation by 2010.  Capturing the sun's warmth can help us to turn down the Earth's temperature."

The Worldwatch State of the World 1998 report found that solar energy will drop in price by 75 percent over the next decade.  A British Petroleum study conducted in July 1997 found that with an investment of $550 million into a 500 MW solar photovoltaic factory, the production costs of solar can be reduced 80 percent.  The BP study shows that a large-scale factory can be built utilizing existing technology and equipment and would employ 3,000 people.  "The study has shown, subject to appropriate investment, that there are no barriers to achieving 500 MW per year production of photovoltaic modules using crystalline silicon."  A senior industry analyst said "at these costs solar will be fully economic throughout the world.  Costs reduction on this scale would generate an annual global market of at least $100 billion according to industry analysis.

Athens is a hotbed of solar and wind energy use and expertise.  There are more than a dozen solar homes in Athens, and more being built every year.  Athens is home to four solar energy companies, including Sunpower, Dovetail Solar (wind and solar), a solar retailing company and a solar and wind consulting company.  Athens also has nationally-renowned solar energy expert Drake Chamberlin.  Athens is ready to lead in this fast-growing field that could provide sustainable, quality jobs while producing clean renewable energy.  Using just a portion of space on rooftops would supply all the electric needs of the county.  Those with shaded rooftops could get power from extra panels on neighbors with sun-exposed roof tops.

Solar energy provides the cure to the environmental destruction of nuclear and fossil fuel electric generation.  The amount of solar energy available on earth to generate photovoltaic power is about 10,000 times greater than the total world energy use today.  This is a tiny fraction of the amount of space used by building roof-tops.  Photovoltaic solar energy has the following advantages:
 • Proven commercial technology
 • High reliability
 • Low operating costs
 • Minimal servicing and no refueling
 • No moving parts in operation
 • Modular design and mobile
 • Global applicability from Tropics to the Arctic
 • Multiple end uses - power supplied virtually everywhere on earth
 • Easily mass-produced and rapidly installed
 • Employment creation and industrial competitiveness

Needed activity

• Lobby locally, statewide and nationally to increase the rate of transition from polluting nuclear and coal to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
• Educate locally about the positive benefits of switching to solar.
• Organize a letter-writing campaign to local, state and national leaders calling for subsidies and legislation promoting the transition to renewable energy sources.
• End the $3 per ton subsidy Ohio taxpayers are giving to the coal industry.