For those of us that remember the famous television series “Dallas,” the answer is really simple. Nobody shot “J.R.” He is very much alive and well and fighting the “good fight” for renewable energy.

I know this because he appeared at the “Solar Power 2007” trade show that took place in Long Beach, California, co-sponsored by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). I am speaking about Larry Hagman, the actor that truly embodied all of the machinations of the Texas oil industry that kept us watching the series “Dallas” for years.

Of course, the character “J.R. Ewing” was shot, but fortunately for all of us, the actor is very much alive and well. In recent years, Hagman has become a high-profile spokesperson for solar energy. He lives on a wonderful ranch in southern California and has equipped the property with solar power that now furnishes all of the electricity for the ranch and his 25,000 square foot home.

When we talked with him, he began with the sad-but-true fact that: “We are running out of oil. We have about 15 to 20 years, and then, we will be completely out of this resource. During that time frame, the prices are going up and up.” We are all aware of the prices rising on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis especially when we fill-up at the gas pump.

“My realization began three years ago when a tree fell on a power line in Ohio,” Hagman explains. “This event knocked out the power on the entire eastern seaboard in the US and even some of Canada.”

Hagman realized that if he could not get water from a well on his property then nothing would grow on his ranch. “What do we do without electricity?”

Hagman now has three “arrays” of solar panels on his ranch with a total capacity of 102 kilowatts (dc). One array, which furnishes 31 kilowatts, takes care of nearly half of the necessary electricity of the ranch. The cost for the entire installation was approximately $750,000 dollars. He received a rebate of $310,000 from his utility company. He feeds the excess electricity produced by his solar panels into the electricity grid, although he doesn’t get paid for it. He figures that the system will pay for itself in 10 years at current electricity rates and more probably in five to six years as prices rise. Three years ago, before the solar installations, his electricity bill was approximately $40,000 year. The very next year it was $19. Thanks to solar power.

Hagman’s common sense idea is for all of us to include the cost of solar power when constructing a home or office building. There are presently a few banks that already have this type of real estate financing available. To quote, Hagman: “It certainly is a great selling tool as well.”

When asked what advice he would give the next President elected in 2008, he told us: “Give the solar industry the same ‘perks’ that you gave oil and other powers. This is overdue. The solar industry should have the same tax advantage. If the federal government doesn’t do it then the individual states must. When I earned tax advantages and credits from ‘manufacturing solar energy’ the government just took the credits for themselves. I should be able to sell these earned credits. The public can’t wait for solar to go down in price. You have to do it yourself!”

Ted Turner, the keynote speaker at the “Solar Power 2007” show told an audience of thousands: “Solar opportunities are exploding! The industry is where the cable industry was when I made a fortune with it. The entire world will have to re-do the energy machine and solar will be a big part of this. The east coast seems to be lagging in the progress, but Florida and South Carolina are extremely aggressive. Georgia seems to be lagging behind a bit. Due to global warming things can happen quite suddenly with climate change. Some of our low lying areas are still using coal for energy. These are the very areas that will have water seepage, God help us!”

His optimism for solar power was tempered by the grave risks that he foresees if climate change is not addressed immediately. “I believe that global warming poses a very serious threat to our civilization. It is irresponsible to continue to allow this to happen. We cannot let our kids and grandkids lose this planet.”

He was especially adamant about the need to get politicians to take action now: “We have a lot to do in Washington. A lot of time must be spent in D.C. to convince people to level the playing field in order to get the solar industry on a level playing field, money wise, with competing energy sources. If environmental damage is included in the equation, then the damage that is done by fossil fuels and the healthcare costs that ensue, must be included in the price that we pay. In China, for example, even in the countryside the air quality is terrible. It is shortening people’s lives. We must move at warp speed to stop using fossil fuel.”

Turner is one of the first people to volunteer his help. He has already offered his services to the President. “We must pound on our Congress and Senate in Washington. Iraq is a very bad situation, but that won’t end humanity as we know it. Global Warming will.”

Personal and societal responsibility is central to his concerns. “As a father and a grandfather, I feel responsible. All of humanity together must get into this on a world wide basis immediately. Our plan must be adjusted every few years due to technological advances,” Turner said.

Which countries will lead us on this plan? Turner has a simple response: “In the future, countries with the best health technology, educational systems and technology will be the leaders. This is what people really want, not military strength.”

Turner is ready and willing to do his part. He owns 50,000 acres in New Mexico. He is ready to turn this into a solar farm furnishing solar power. Five years ago, he started the “Energy Future Coalition” is a think-tank to develop and lobby in Washington for cleaner energy. He believes that nuclear power can also be used, but is still dangerous due to its waste products. “Certainly, nuclear power is better than coal, but it is a last choice,” he says.

Turner also has very clear views on American foreign policy. “Spending a half-trillion dollars on military is something that we don’t need. Give the third world solar panels and doctors. Don’t bomb them.”

We asked Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, if Washington is really ready to change longstanding energy policies that have favored legacy technologies and delayed the deployment of new renewable energy technologies.

Speaker Pelosi was extremely proud of the recently passed energy bill: “Our energy security legislation is the signature achievement of my Speakership. For the first time in 32 years, Congress increased fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. It will go a long way toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil and begin to combat global warming, which will continue to be a focus for Congress next year.”

When asked about the deletion of federal tax incentives for renewable energy from the energy bill, Speaker Pelosi responded: “The tax package that was part of our House-passed energy bill would have provided substantial tax incentives for renewables, such as wind, solar and biofuels. We’ll be looking at how to move that package again next year, but I am committed to passing those incentives also with a Renewable Electricity Standard. While Republican opposition to our tax package meant that we could not send these renewable energy incentives to the President this year, I am hopeful that we can in 2008. Given their importance to America’s energy security and our larger struggle to halt global warming, delay is not an option.”

In view of this, we asked: “Do you feel that if our next election produces a Democratic President, will the fight against global warming change?” She responded: “It is undeniable that all of the candidates vying for the nomination are light years ahead of President Bush on the issue of climate change. That being said, we cannot and should not wait until January 2009. Our energy bill’s increase in fuel economy standards is a huge step forward, but I believe we can make additional progress in the coming year on limiting the emissions that cause global warming.”

To watch videos of the full interviews, please visit www.lohaschannel.com

For additional information visit:

www.solaarelectricpower.org

www.sera.org

www.solarpowerconference.com

www.energyfuturecoalition.org