By Ed Toribio, owner of Home Energy Alternatives in Nebraska. This is the second in a series of posts from clean energy business leaders across America.  -- Luis

Last month, as we wrapped-up Independence Day celebrations, I recalled the meaning behind this important holiday, the birthday of our country. The Founders had a clear vision for this country based in the belief that all Americans are entitled to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today, our dependency on foreign oil and the effects of global climate change has put these fundamental rights at risk.

At first, it is hard to find a connection between life, liberty, happiness and energy, but if you look closely, the American way of life depends heavily on access to energy sources. With increasing demand for energy, it becomes a challenge to use energy in a responsible manner; therefore, we must consider the impact and negative repercussions of generating electricity burning fossil fuels.

By Jesse Hart, owner of Hart Homes LLC/Black Hills Solar in South Dakota. -- Luis

My wife and I started Black Hills Solar about four years ago with the idea that we would build energy efficient and low maintenance homes for the people in the Black Hills area. To save the homeowners money every month on their energy bills, we used structural insulated panels for the exterior walls and blown fiberglass insulation in other areas. On the outside of the homes, we used products that don't need annual maintenance and have long warranties so people don't have to repaint and maintain their house every year.

As the housing market changed, so did our business. We went from building new homes to remodeling and fixing existing homes, but we still try to help customers lower their energy usage and make their home require less maintenance. We look for many ways to help customers reduce their energy demand, such as adding more insulation or installing new windows.

I always tell my customers that first you conserve energy and then you start making your own power. There are a lot of choices out there for solar and wind products, and I try to use products that are manufactured here in the U.S. For solar products I use a company that is starting to make solar thermal systems and solar electric (PV) panels in the U.S. They will also make evacuated tubes, which were once only made in China. The wind company that I deal with is a U.S. company but makes products overseas. I am also trying to work with a wind energy company that will be manufacturing in my hometown.

Solar and wind products bring lots of well paying jobs to the area. For example, when I install solar electric (PV), I get panels that are made in the U.S. and I also hire a licensed electrician to run the electrical and wire to the house. When I put up a wind turbine, I need to hire an electrician, and buy concrete and the turbine, which comes from a local manufacturer. Right now my business is small but in addition to the employees who work for me, we create jobs in other areas, such as manufacturing, shipping, and trained professional jobs.

By 1Sky blogger Nick Santos. See his bio at the end of this post.-- Luis

By now, most of you have probably heard the double dose of bad news coming out of the Senate (It seems like political bad news too frequently comes from there). Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indefinitely delayed action on a climate bill and is still talking of scheduling floor time for Senator Rockefeller's (D-WV) reprise of Lisa Murkowski's (R-AK) Dirty Air Act.

There's a lot of implications to both of those actions, and I'm now beyond frustrated with the Senate, so let's step through why this extra delay from the Senate is absolutely dangerous for public health and welfare.

First, let’s address the delay of the climate bill. The Senate continues to show absolute cowardice in its unwilling to act, despite clear public support for the measures. Working on climate change issues has given me a healthy dose of reality regarding the Senate’s timelines and the frequent delay that’s involved. However, this delay has the potential to be more devastating than the others because, unless something changes, we’re looking at a minimum of three months of delay, but potentially 6-12 months in reality. This length of time is unacceptable to address one of the biggest issues of our time.

By Genevieve Raymond is a full time mom and part-time founding member of Climb Against Coal. -- Luis

We were moms on a mission. We woke up at midnight Saturday morning to attempt the 14,411 ft summit of Mount Rainier.  We had a message for Governor Gregoire: close Washington’s largest toxic polluter and point source of deadly carbon — the TransAlta coal-fired power plant in Centralia.

We are not experienced mountaineers, but six months ago, when we brainstormed this crazy idea, we determined to meet an urgent challenge with radical action.  We each have children between the ages of 3 and 6, and our kids have taught us to be loud and persistent in our demands.  The Governor’s plan to burn dirty coal for fifteen more years is unacceptable.  The time to transition to clean energy is now.

By Maine State Representative Diane Russell. -- Luis

Luck is the intersection of opportunity and preparation. Across the country, organizers, activists and lawmakers have been building infrastructure, creating momentum out of inertia and pushing the giant boulder of climate and energy legislation up Mt. Everest.

I founded Viable Earth to empower people and enterprise (including communities, business, schools and organizations) to make the right green decisions, in order to accelerate our transition to a green, clean and carbon-free society.

Post by Dr. Stephen A. Smith from Cleanenergy.org, cross-posted with permission from our allies Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. -- Ines

By Climate Rider Carolynn Shaut. The Brita Climate Ride-California will take place on September 21-25, 2010. Register today! -- Luis

I first read about the Brita Climate Ride from a recent 1Sky email. Like many people, I rely on my keyboard for political expression and the Internet for most of the news. This bit of news about Climate Ride pulled on me, like a subtle string.

By 1Sky blogging working group member Andy Silber. See Andy's bio at the end of this post. -- Ines

On Father’s Day, my wife asked want I wanted to do. I’m such an energy geek that I told her that I wanted to visit one of the wind farms that are popping up near Ellensburg, WA , just across Snoqualmie Pass from Seattle. So we loaded up our son and two dogs and drove two hours along I-90.

By Jennifer Niese, a Climate Precinct Captain in Maine. -- Luis

Last Wednesday (June 16th), I joined up with a group of a dozen other Mainers in front of our U.S. Senators offices in Portland, Maine. Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe were among 47 Senators to vote in favor of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution which would have gutted the EPA’s ability to regulate emissions from the fossil fuel industry. Fortunately, 53 Senators voted to defeat the proposal and the Clean Air Act remains intact.