[Draft 1] Clean Energy Act

[Xernon]

"Hello all,

Below you'll find my proposed replacement legislation for GAR#357 “Promotion of Clean Energy.” For the repeal legislation, please navigate over to that thread. Our delegation's goal here is to propose mandates and efforts aimed at facilitating the transition to clean energy. As we have stated before, we don't believe that such efforts are redundant with other resolutions, namely GAR#445 -- emission caps are one tool that we can use to facilitate our transition away from fossil fuels but it is not and should not be the only tool at our disposal.

As always, I am super grateful for all constructive feedback and comments." Count Nyle, WA Ambassador - The Principality of Xernon

Clean Energy Act | Proposed by: Xernon

Category: Environmental | Industry Affected: All Businesses - Strong

The General Assembly,

Acknowledging that the exhaustible nature of fossil fuels renders them an unstable, short-term source of energy,
Emphasizing the long-term economic uncertainties governments face for relying heavily on fossil fuels to meet the energy demands of their various populations and industries,
Recognizing the role of burning fossil fuels in driving global warming and causing irreparable damage to the atmosphere, waterways, land, and environment at large,
Further recognizing that the burning of fossil fuels can lead to a plethora of adverse health effects including both respiratory and cardiac disease and a range of other chronic health conditions,
Applauding GAR 445’s efforts in controlling greenhouse gas emissions, in the process restricting member nations’ reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources and mitigating their harmful environmental impacts,
Believing that, while gas emission caps are one tool for reducing fossil fuel usage, member nations require additional measures and support to effectively execute the transition to clean energy,

Hereby enacts the following:

1. For the purposes of this resolution, "clean energy" shall be defined as energy derived from renewable sources such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, and geothermal heat, or from sources that do not produce gas emissions such as nuclear reactions.
2. The Clean Energy Institute (CEI) is established and tasked with:
   
   1. Formulating decennial fossil fuel usage reduction targets for member nations to abide by, taking into account each member nation's:
      
      1. accessibility to clean energy sources and the efficiency and energy production potential of said sources,
      2. current ratio of energy production derived from clean energy sources, and
      3. fiscal status,
   2. Collaborating with member nations on researching and disseminating technologies that maximize energy extraction from clean energy sources, and
   3. Allocating funding, through the General Fund, to support low resource member nations in meeting the provisions laid out in this legislation.
3. Member nations are strongly urged to:
   
   1. Provide economic subsidies and tax incentives for clean energy production and use,
   2. Offer vocational training and educational scholarships in the clean energy sector to generate a clean energy workforce,
   3. Situate clean energy production facilities in rural or high poverty areas — when feasible for energy production — in order to provide jobs and direct access to clean energy for inhabitants living in those areas, and
   4. Modernize public transit options through electric-powered modes of transportation, such as electric vehicles, buses, locomotives, and aircraft.
4. Member nations are required to:
   
   1. Identify and assess the energy production potential of clean energy sources accessible to them,
   2. Develop the infrastructure necessary to properly utilize any clean energy sources that are deemed to hold significant energy production potential,
   3. Require utility companies to publish annual reports outlining their strategies for increasing the utilization of clean energy sources and reducing their fossil fuel usage to meet the nation’s fossil fuel usage reduction targets,
   4. Upgrade and modernize their electrical grids in order to efficiently power their nations,
   5. Enact energy efficient design requirements in residential/industrial construction and in appliance manufacturing,
   6. Educate the public on the importance of energy conservation in driving down utility prices and ensuring that all inhabitants have equal access to energy,
   7. Provide consumer protections against any temporary utility price increases associated with the switch to clean energy,
   8. Secure clean energy production facilities and ensure contingency plans in case of an attack on a facility or a failure therein, and
   9. Share excess energy production with neighboring low-resource member nations that may be experiencing short-term national energy crises which impact their ability to independently meet their energy needs.

[Separatist Peoples]

"We have concerns that the clean energy requirements do not consider feasibility of alternate energy sources, and require installation of infrastructure for inefficient but accessible forms of energy. Further, this does not accommodate scenarios where states need to maintain fossil fuel vehicles in specialized roles, regardless of these targets. There are few renewable energy engines capable of moving a heavy rescue truck up a steep hill at speeds necessary in emergency response, or batteries capable of rapid recharge and similar performance. The few that exist provide significant danger to the vehicle in event of malfunction. Despite that, the committee makes decreasing targets with regard only to available alternatives and not practical considerations for specialized use."

[Xernon]

"We have concerns that the clean energy requirements do not consider feasibility of alternate energy sources, and require installation of infrastructure for inefficient but accessible forms of energy. Further, this does not accommodate scenarios where states need to maintain fossil fuel vehicles in specialized roles, regardless of these targets. There are few renewable energy engines capable of moving a heavy rescue truck up a steep hill at speeds necessary in emergency response, or batteries capable of rapid recharge and similar performance. The few that exist provide significant danger to the vehicle in event of malfunction. Despite that, the committee makes decreasing targets with regard only to available alternatives and not practical considerations for specialized use."

We thank the Separatist Peoples delegation for their feedback and comments. On the first point, the intent here is not to transition with the flip of a switch (pun intended ) from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. While a desirable goal, we recognize that would not be grounded in reality. Rather, the CEI formulates a 10 year outlook for nations to pursue, allowing nations what we believe to be a fair amount of time to tap into and develop their renewable energy sectors. Having said that, I recognize the issue that the delegation is pointing out in basing these outlooks (2a) and mandates (4a) on mere accessibility. Just because an energy source is accessible does not mean it is efficient in the short term. I'll have to think of a fix for this for a bit, but I will definitely address it.
On the second point, we complete agree with the delegation's concerns. We will seek to address this in our legislation.

[Xernon]

OOC: This took a bit of time, and I apologize, but I got sidetracked by a rather bad cold in RL/OOC and the Homelessness resolution IC.

IC: Our Delegation is happy to report that we have updated the resolution to take into consideration the points brought by Separatist Peoples. With regards to Separatist Peoples second point, we have narrowed down the scope of clause 3c to apply only to public transit modes of transportation.

We are now happy to receive and address further feedback as it comes in. Thank you

[Bestelesnia]

The Grand Emperor of Bestelesnia, through the International Affairs office, in his first incursion in International Law, has 2 small observations to make about this legislation:
First, it is not said that the plans created by the institute are binding or not, therefore it's hard to assess the importance of this organization. Secondly, if it is binding, there are no observations about economical assistance, as the movement of money from the fund is stipulated solely for the other points made in the legislation.
Second, the last point, of the obligation of countries to share energy to smaller countries should they need it (and if the first nations have an exedent), the Grand Emperor believes it is outside the purpose of this legislation, as this legislation deals with the movement from fosil-based energy production to green energy, not with the use of said energy. Besides, this legislation does not consider all the cost associated to this energy transfer, from building connections to specialized manpower, cost that would fall upon the shoulders of the bigger nation.

With nothing more to add for now, the Grand Emperor congratulates you for your attempt at making this world a better place.
Best regards,
International Affairs Office.

[Gonswanza]

Locate clean energy production facilities in rural or high poverty areas in order to provide jobs and direct access to clean energy to inhabitants living in those areas, [sic]

"While this is all sound and well, it does pose a risk to the ones operating the plant along with countering the advantages of certain forms of clean energy: Geothermal plants need to be located near or over a solid area of land that is stable, with an easy-to-access "hotspot" that could be virtually anywhere, not just in "rural areas" or "poverty-stricken locations" as stated here. A nuclear plant needs skilled workers and those with a background in security to function without accident, yet shoving it into an impoverished area is begging for accidents with fuel transfer and disposal or an increased risk overall to the security of the site. Solar farms are prone to creating a "heat island", hence a minor buffer zone between the field of mirrors and the outermost fence. Hydroelectric plants need to be built upon a river, which may have more developed infrastructure around it while impoverished neighborhoods would lack access to the site... That would also require skilled workers to reduce accidents. Finally, wind farms need skilled workers and space to operate, especially in case of a mechanical failure. Solar panels are cheap, flawed, and inefficient yet again they are best maintained by skilled workers who can also install them upon selective and advantageous structures commonly found well beyond impoverished regions. Hence, while the intent was sound and well, flooding these renewable sources of energy with an unskilled labor force will only result in poor maintenance and a very frail source of power that eventually will destroy itself from a sheer lack of maintenance and pure incompetence to further the problem.

Perhaps you would rather offer to attach educational programs to generate skilled workers who can work in these environments and aid in setting up the necessary infrastructure and foundation, along with later working there while having the education they need being paid for by the state and added subsidies to further support this transfer to green energy? As the poor may seem disposable, but to then put the future of a nation in the hands of the reckless is a move that one could deem an act of suicide, for lack of a better term."
-Advisor Alexander Schloss.

[Imperium Anglorum]

The idea of turning clean energy into a jobs programme is ridiculous. The generation should be built where doing so is most efficient and least costly to society, not wherever some disadvantaged people happen to reside.

Targets for clean energy use beyond those established by the WA Science Programme are unnecessary for the purpose of resolving anthropogenic climate change. Carbon emissions are already adequately priced. Promoting clean energy beyond the Science Programme's emission limits impose costs on member nations in excess of their benefits.

[Xernon]

Hello all -- our delegation wanted to communicate that we have read all new comments and will do our best to respond to them and address any issues raised within the next 48 hours. Thank you!

[Gillivieseihinn]

Dear Nations,
Late Night Death Gather Confederation would like to propose an alternate form of clean energy subsidies from central to developing nations. As already demonstrated by counteless recently developed technologies, such as battery electric vehicles, high efficiency solar cells or low cost grid storage batteries, the development of cheap and profitable clean energy technologies is a far more efficient form of subsidie that developed nations may offer to the rest of the world, while also benefiting themselves in the process. We therefore propose the commitment of highly scientifically advanced nations to the investment in development of feasible and competitive clean energy technologies for lesser nations, as well as the commitment of lesser nations to adopt such technologies.

[Gonswanza]

Hello all -- our delegation wanted to communicate that we have read all new comments and will do our best to respond to them and address any issues raised within the next 48 hours. Thank you!

It would be nice for you to read up the responses and use them to adjust the draft, hence, making a new one and saving the old one for the archive as proof of a second draft... Just so this can be pushed along and gain acceptance more easily without being shot down as a hastily made document that is (presumably) poorly made with little input from others.

No offense, of course. That's just how WA works, from what I can tell.

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: there is no need to preserve old drafts. I have no idea why this ridiculous trend began, but nobody is looking at old drafts.

[Gonswanza]

Ooc: there is no need to preserve old drafts. I have no idea why this ridiculous trend began, but nobody is looking at old drafts.

Well, I stand corrected. Thanks!

[Untecna]

Ooc: there is no need to preserve old drafts. I have no idea why this ridiculous trend began, but nobody is looking at old drafts.

Eh, at least we can see the history of the drafting process, for... I don't know, reference.

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: there is no need to preserve old drafts. I have no idea why this ridiculous trend began, but nobody is looking at old drafts.

Eh, at least we can see the history of the drafting process, for... I don't know, reference.

Ooc: reference for what, exactly? What about past drafts do you care about?

[Untecna]

Eh, at least we can see the history of the drafting process, for... I don't know, reference.

Ooc: reference for what, exactly? What about past drafts do you care about?

Clearly some, if not all. If you don't care that's fine, but if people do that's also fine.

[Separatist Peoples]

Ooc: reference for what, exactly? What about past drafts do you care about?

Clearly some, if not all. If you don't care that's fine, but if people do that's also fine.

Ooc: sounds an awful lot like you don't and don't want to admit it, but you do you.

OP, keeping the old drafts makes it a bitch to quote your draft with formatting. Kindly don't bother with old drafts.

[Xernon]

I thank all of the delegations that have commented. With regards to drafts, I apologize if I was not clear. Whenever I make significant changes to a proposal, I always put the older version in spoilers in my opening post. Whenever I proceed to a new version/draft, I also update the title with the new draft number and post a message stating that I've done so.

If you would like to know what that looks like, please check out my recently passed resolution on homelessness: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=510476

I'm not deviating from that. So far, I'm still working on draft 1 -- once enough significant changes have taken place (I'm still working on the content-based feedback given to me), you'll see draft 2.

Thank you all.

[THE Grob]

A movement to encourage members to phase out of relying on fossil fuels is certainly a worthy endeavor. I know that most of you here are of, lesser nations, and are simply incapable of figuring out how we are able to manage clean and renewable sources of energy so more efficiently than you- but I assure you, with your lesser sizes, I guarantee that you will be able to use smaller sources like wind, solar, and nuclear energy to power your nations.

Fossil fuels are cheap, yes- but it should be noted that fossil fuels are a detriment to the environment and they're a scarce resource which can lead to wars over resources and the monopolization of these industries which can hinder the world economy as well as environmental issues which can be set back due to the greedy manipulations of a few tycoons. Limiting your reliance on oil not only prevents your political system from being corrupted by capitalistic greed, but it also ensures a short-term loss in favor of a long-term gain. Jobs may be lost initially because of the transition; but those who are unemployed will be able to find professions in other areas- of which these areas are, that is not up for me to decide or know.

The only people truly harmed by this are random kingdoms in the desert who solely rely on oil just to make a profit. Those nations are, well- obviously more... vulnerable to this type of commitment to clean energy, but their reliance on oil is merely a result of their terrible choice to settle and create a country in such a rich yet objectively useless region; it is not the responsibility of the World Assembly to babysit those rely on outdated fuels such as oil or coal.

One day, humanity- you will understand the superiority which nuclear energy & others hold for you. You will be able to look past your foolish reliance on resources that are temporary, and this will just be the first step to crushing the reactionary forces of capitalistic society. The longer you rely on these things, the longer it will take to get rid of them. If you keep relying on them until resources go scarce, your economies will plummet and your energy grids will go into crisis because you're paying for the last few batches of oil on the planet. You insist that you continue to run on oil even after it has been shown to you that your people will suffer because of it- it is simply your fault. If you are not scared enough of the economic crisis that followed you, then the revolution that follows in your nation afterward will be more than enough incentive.

[Xernon]

The Grand Emperor of Bestelesnia, through the International Affairs office, in his first incursion in International Law, has 2 small observations to make about this legislation:
First, it is not said that the plans created by the institute are binding or not, therefore it's hard to assess the importance of this organization. Secondly, if it is binding, there are no observations about economical assistance, as the movement of money from the fund is stipulated solely for the other points made in the legislation.
Second, the last point, of the obligation of countries to share energy to smaller countries should they need it (and if the first nations have an exedent), the Grand Emperor believes it is outside the purpose of this legislation, as this legislation deals with the movement from fosil-based energy production to green energy, not with the use of said energy. Besides, this legislation does not consider all the cost associated to this energy transfer, from building connections to specialized manpower, cost that would fall upon the shoulders of the bigger nation.

With nothing more to add for now, the Grand Emperor congratulates you for your attempt at making this world a better place.
Best regards,
International Affairs Office.

We thank the delegation from Bestelesnia for their comments. On the first point, we have clarified our wording in clause 1a to reinforce the role of the fossil fuel reduction targets. On the second point, the monetary allocations mandated are specifically designated for the purposes of this resolution intentionally. Given that the topic at hand is clean energy, financial assistance should be tied to that goal. I strongly applaud efforts to fund other priorities either at the national level or through other WA legislation. I should note that covered in this resolution are infrastructure as well as education as they pertain to the mandates of this clean energy resolution.

[Xernon]

Locate clean energy production facilities in rural or high poverty areas in order to provide jobs and direct access to clean energy to inhabitants living in those areas, [sic]

"While this is all sound and well, it does pose a risk to the ones operating the plant along with countering the advantages of certain forms of clean energy: Geothermal plants need to be located near or over a solid area of land that is stable, with an easy-to-access "hotspot" that could be virtually anywhere, not just in "rural areas" or "poverty-stricken locations" as stated here. A nuclear plant needs skilled workers and those with a background in security to function without accident, yet shoving it into an impoverished area is begging for accidents with fuel transfer and disposal or an increased risk overall to the security of the site. Solar farms are prone to creating a "heat island", hence a minor buffer zone between the field of mirrors and the outermost fence. Hydroelectric plants need to be built upon a river, which may have more developed infrastructure around it while impoverished neighborhoods would lack access to the site... That would also require skilled workers to reduce accidents. Finally, wind farms need skilled workers and space to operate, especially in case of a mechanical failure. Solar panels are cheap, flawed, and inefficient yet again they are best maintained by skilled workers who can also install them upon selective and advantageous structures commonly found well beyond impoverished regions. Hence, while the intent was sound and well, flooding these renewable sources of energy with an unskilled labor force will only result in poor maintenance and a very frail source of power that eventually will destroy itself from a sheer lack of maintenance and pure incompetence to further the problem.

Perhaps you would rather offer to attach educational programs to generate skilled workers who can work in these environments and aid in setting up the necessary infrastructure and foundation, along with later working there while having the education they need being paid for by the state and added subsidies to further support this transfer to green energy? As the poor may seem disposable, but to then put the future of a nation in the hands of the reckless is a move that one could deem an act of suicide, for lack of a better term."
-Advisor Alexander Schloss.

We thank Advisor Schloss for their excellent feedback. We have incorporated both suggestions into our draft -- namely, we have placed an emphasis in clause 3c on the feasibility of a location as it relates to the efficiency of the extraction of clean energy sources, and we have also added a new clause, clause 3b, encouraging investment in a clean energy workforce. We thank the advisor again for their comments.

[Xernon]

Dear Nations,
Late Night Death Gather Confederation would like to propose an alternate form of clean energy subsidies from central to developing nations. As already demonstrated by counteless recently developed technologies, such as battery electric vehicles, high efficiency solar cells or low cost grid storage batteries, the development of cheap and profitable clean energy technologies is a far more efficient form of subsidie that developed nations may offer to the rest of the world, while also benefiting themselves in the process. We therefore propose the commitment of highly scientifically advanced nations to the investment in development of feasible and competitive clean energy technologies for lesser nations, as well as the commitment of lesser nations to adopt such technologies.

Part of the role of the Clean Energy Institute is doing just that -- researching and disseminating technologies that maximize energy extraction from clean energy sources. I'd be open to include a modification to the clause to center technology development assistance to low resource nations if this is something that the majority of delegations want to see.

Targets for clean energy use beyond those established by the WA Science Programme are unnecessary for the purpose of resolving anthropogenic climate change. Carbon emissions are already adequately priced. Promoting clean energy beyond the Science Programme's emission limits impose costs on member nations in excess of their benefits.

We thank the esteemed delegation from Imperium Anglorum for their comments. We realize that we may not see eye to eye on this particular topic, but our delegation feels that simply slapping a nation with a carbon emission limit is not realistic nor conducive to an actual transition to clean energy. Having said that, carbon emission limits, when paired with other mandates and support systems (such as those outlined in this legislation), can be very in helping nations transition to clean energy.

[Xernon]

With that, we have addressed and incorporated all feedback that was posted. For those that posted general statements in support of this resolution and the concept of a clean energy future, I appreciate the support. For those that posted constructive feedback, I really, really appreciate your comments. Please keep those comments coming so we can strengthen this and get it in the best shape possible.

Just for the record, most of the changes implemented thus far are mostly tweaks to existing clauses in the legislation. Therefore, we are still operating on draft #1.

[Faerixe]

We need to look to the future and make sure we have a world to leave our great grandchildren. All nations need to come together and make sure we use clean energy. Follow the science.

[Xernon]

We need to look to the future and make sure we have a world to leave our great grandchildren. All nations need to come together and make sure we use clean energy. Follow the science.

I very much agree. When you think of the foundation of societies and humanity in general, at the most basic level it comes down to an environment that makes life and development possible.

Anyway, I am bumping this thread for comments. I would greatly appreciate any and all constructive feedback.

[Gonswanza]

While this may be a minor tangent, albeit related to infrastructure, it could be noteworthy to add a clause concerning protection of these sources of energy, in relation to natural disasters. Even if a suitable area is found, no one place is exactly immune to a catastrophic event, such as a flood or even a volcanic eruption. Hence, such risks should be kept in mind, especially when concerning space weather as the "end all be all" for harsh disasters that are almost never considered. Alas, one can protect against geomagnetic and solar storms with a way to redirect the surge into a form of storage, which can later be donated or used if the grid isn't able to provide enough energy during peak hours. A minor thought, of course, in line with this act. As for the reason why my input is being used in place of Lauras: she is more focused on security in general, rather than sustainable energy.

-Advisor Alexander Schloss