LTE: Passing of a Solar Pioneer

Here's a link to a letter I had published by the Las Vegas Sun newpaper. The richness of the story was edited out, so I included the full original text below.

To the Editor
Las Vegas Sun

I recently watched a friend reach the end of his time on Earth. Ed fought life-long to protect the Earth, first starting the group SUNRAE in the 1970s. He demonstrated solar ovens, and built solar water systems for senior apartments. Ed co-wrote the nation’s first solar tax credit law 1978. For water heating, when only NASA could turn rays of sun into electricity.

Why am I sharing this? Because at the end of Ed’s life, solar, wind and other renewables are leading us to the future. Near Tonopah, the planned Esmeralda 7 project will be the largest in North America, powering over 1.6 million homes. In 2023, renewables—wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal—accounted for 22% of U.S electricity more than nuclear or coal. Almost every scientist agrees dangerous climate change is happening and we rapidly must shift away from fossil fuels.

Nearly 90 percent of Americans support incentives for clean energy, as do cities, states and almost every national government on earth. Thousands of private investors, businesses and employees are building the hardware of a sustainable energy future.

We hear the environmentalist voices. We hear from young people who fear an unlivable future. Would-be parents opting not to bring children into the world. I want to challenge the business people, the investors, the skilled workers who are building our energy future to push back against defunding the clean energy tax incentives. Call or write your Representative and US Senators. Speak up for yourself, your grandchildren and for my friend Ed.

Michael Feeney

2 Replies

@Michael Feeney This is a lovely tribute to your friend. Thank you for sharing and encouraging people to honor him with action of their own.

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