Power to the people propels US green energy transition
Push for public ownership of utilities along with new federal subsidies accelerate the switch to renewable energy.
WASHINGTON – A push for increased public ownership of electrical utilities and new opportunities for cities, states and nonprofits to get involved is helping propel a U.S. transition to green energy that puts local needs above private profits.
Interest in public power – its generation and distribution – has “exploded” in recent years, said Johanna Bozuwa, executive director with the Climate and Community Project think tank.
But it has also been hamstrung by the fact that U.S. incentives for renewable projects had primarily come through tax breaks, which were not open to government and non-profits.
