Isn't it time to see some adult leadership in Washington? Surely this is an important enough issue to warrant the development of a sensible long-term plan to make the USA energy independent? As individuals we can all do our part by buying the greenest products, recycling, etc., but the bigger environmental changes have to be promoted by our governing bodies.
The first thing to recognize is that societal and structural changes happen gradually. What is considered acceptable social behavior today would have been unthinkable 60 years ago, but it did not happen overnight. Likewise, changing our overall dependence on fossil fuels will not happen suddenly. Creating the climate for progress towards energy independence must involve compromise by all parties.
Instead of throwing money at the so called "stimulus packages", why not take those funds and contribute them to a comprehensive program to encourage clean energy and US energy independence. A recent clean energy report commissioned by the Center for American Progress (CAP) and produced by the Political Economic Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, identifies the benefits of Government sponsorship of such a program. It proposes development of all aspects of green, renewable energy with tax credits for companies as well as direct government spending on infrastructure and Federal Loan Guarantees to encourage investment in improved energy efficiency in older structures. The additional benefit of such a program is that it would generate many more employment opportunities with an estimate of 2,000,000 new jobs being created.
Back to the concept of compromise……we would not only need compromise in our government, but in the many conflicting environmental groups in this country. To move toward a low-carbon economy will take time, and while that is moving along we will need to continue to utilize the oil and gas reserves available in the US, including ANWAR and offshore. At the same time we can end the billions of dollars that government currently invests in the oil and gas industries by way of subsidies and tax breaks. These companies are currently making record profits and can operate without this government assistance. Here again, these funds can be redirected to the green energy policies that will help us become clean energy efficient.
Compromise will also be necessary in the development of wind power. Boone Pickens has very publicly identified the significant potential for wind farms in the middle of the country ( http://www.pickensplan.com ). The problem arises in getting this electrical energy to where it is most needed. The higher density population centers are closer to the coasts so substantial distribution infrastructure will need to be constructed. The green-freaks and tree huggers can be expected to scream in anguish at the prospect of such construction but accepting such compromises will be necessary until new, less invasive grid systems can be developed to move power to where it is needed.
Other projects that can be expected to be part of the move towards the green US lifestyle include:
Improving vehicle fuel economy through the use of hybrid, electrical and hydrogen technologies.
Development of low-carbon fuels that do not impact food supplies or require the use of excessive water resources.
Development of clean and efficient local and regional mass-transit networks.
Long-distance high-speed rail systems.
Carbon-capture technology that will allow the use of the significant coal reserves in the US.
Overall, a focus on aggressive encouragement of the development of new green technologies will boost job growth, increase productivity and spur innovation in the US. However, it will take time to build up sufficient mass to take over from the fossil fuel domination of the current system. Getting there will require all parties to accept compromise in order to achieve the ultimate goal.
The first thing to recognize is that societal and structural changes happen gradually. What is considered acceptable social behavior today would have been unthinkable 60 years ago, but it did not happen overnight. Likewise, changing our overall dependence on fossil fuels will not happen suddenly. Creating the climate for progress towards energy independence must involve compromise by all parties.
Instead of throwing money at the so called "stimulus packages", why not take those funds and contribute them to a comprehensive program to encourage clean energy and US energy independence. A recent clean energy report commissioned by the Center for American Progress (CAP) and produced by the Political Economic Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, identifies the benefits of Government sponsorship of such a program. It proposes development of all aspects of green, renewable energy with tax credits for companies as well as direct government spending on infrastructure and Federal Loan Guarantees to encourage investment in improved energy efficiency in older structures. The additional benefit of such a program is that it would generate many more employment opportunities with an estimate of 2,000,000 new jobs being created.
Back to the concept of compromise……we would not only need compromise in our government, but in the many conflicting environmental groups in this country. To move toward a low-carbon economy will take time, and while that is moving along we will need to continue to utilize the oil and gas reserves available in the US, including ANWAR and offshore. At the same time we can end the billions of dollars that government currently invests in the oil and gas industries by way of subsidies and tax breaks. These companies are currently making record profits and can operate without this government assistance. Here again, these funds can be redirected to the green energy policies that will help us become clean energy efficient.
Compromise will also be necessary in the development of wind power. Boone Pickens has very publicly identified the significant potential for wind farms in the middle of the country ( http://www.pickensplan.com ). The problem arises in getting this electrical energy to where it is most needed. The higher density population centers are closer to the coasts so substantial distribution infrastructure will need to be constructed. The green-freaks and tree huggers can be expected to scream in anguish at the prospect of such construction but accepting such compromises will be necessary until new, less invasive grid systems can be developed to move power to where it is needed.
Other projects that can be expected to be part of the move towards the green US lifestyle include:
Improving vehicle fuel economy through the use of hybrid, electrical and hydrogen technologies.
Development of low-carbon fuels that do not impact food supplies or require the use of excessive water resources.
Development of clean and efficient local and regional mass-transit networks.
Long-distance high-speed rail systems.
Carbon-capture technology that will allow the use of the significant coal reserves in the US.
Overall, a focus on aggressive encouragement of the development of new green technologies will boost job growth, increase productivity and spur innovation in the US. However, it will take time to build up sufficient mass to take over from the fossil fuel domination of the current system. Getting there will require all parties to accept compromise in order to achieve the ultimate goal.
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