Solar energy ‘for whom the bell tolls’

Phil Yorio is the general manager of Micronesia Renewable Energy, Inc.-CNMI. (Contributed Photo)

The expression “for whom the bell tolls” was a quote by John Donne who was a writer born in the 15th century. This quote actually means the interconnectedness of humanity or no man is an Island. Living on an island this cannot be any truer. We rely on each other, family, friends, business associates, and most importantly our leaders in the Legislature for good sound policy and nothing right now is more important than good sound energy policy.

Living on an island nation where there is only one non-interconnected government utility supplying the power was fine 50, 20, even 10 years ago but these times they are a changing as Bob Dylan used to say. They held the torch of being the only game in town and all in all they did a decent job but now with solar energy reaching economies of scale, major materials coming down in price and battery storage now reaching a decent price point. Solar energy is going from an alternate energy to now where it can become mainstream energy. We have finally reached a point where solar energy can impact every person on this Island, economically, socially, and most importantly environmentally.

The economics make sense, when oil reached the all-time low of $26 a barrel, the solar energy industry was selling their power lower, now with oil back up to $45 a barrel and the strain on the utility because of the volatility of this commodity rates again will start to rise this will mean more savings for the home and business owners who have taken advantage of the various finance programs that this industry is offering. Socially because the industry is creating jobs, business to business commerce, paying payroll and sales tax and on the other spectrum of putting more disposable income back into the pockets of the community who save on power. This allows them that extra cash to purchase that new washer or dryer, car, or going on that family vacation, these are all monies that go back to the community and not overseas for more oil and of course Environmentally where we need to help save this planet from the devastating effects of carbon dioxide that is heating up this planet, destroying it, killing our oceans, destroying the Earth as we know it that we will pay heavy fees for the effects this will cause on our children and future generations for many years to come.

We rely on our leaders and the people who we have placed our trust in to have our best interests at heart, leaders who will write good bills and policies that will be placed into law that will not only save this planet but save our precious Island and wean us off of the dependence of fossil fuel and give us energy security that we can depend on, energy policy that has efficient, sustainable, green renewable energy at the fore front. Pope Francis said it best at the United Nations Climate Summit in Paris, France last November, we must be good Christians and we must be protectors and stewards of this beautiful planet that God gave us.

No man is an island, together we are this island.(Phil Yorio, Special to the Saipan Tribune)