What Does Real Energy Independence Looks Like

Proponents of green energy are looking to Portugal to demonstrate what real energy independence looks like. During the first part of this year, 70% of that nation's energy was generated by renewable sources. The vast majority was supplied by hydroelectric power, which saw a 312 percent increase in production from the previous year, and generated almost 40% of that nation's energy. Wind turbines and solar energy production accounted for nearly another 30% of Portugal's electricity. In fact, so much of Portugal's energy was supplied by renewable sources, that nation exported electricity to other nations, and sold off a share of it's carbon credits allotted by the EU's carbon trading system. So, not only was Portugal able to protect the environment by switching to green energy, but that nation was able to generate revenue doing so. This is more evidence that renewable energy is not just good science, it's good business. If our nation really wants to achieve energy independence, we should be following Portugal's example and making the switch to green energy.