Browse
Engage
Research
By investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy and a modernized electric grid, we can assert America's leadership in the emerging clean tech global economy -- and create millions of new jobs.
Other countries are already in the starting block of this great green race that will bring enormous financial reward to its winners. Asia and Europe are home to the world's largest solar and wind turbine manufacturers. Japan's per capita consumption of energy is nearly half that of the United States. President Barack Obama sees this, noting shortly before he was inaugurated that other countries "are surging ahead of us, poised to take the lead in these new industries."
 |
Strong green financial incentives in the recovery plan can put Americans back to work, provide a foundation for a new, clean economy, decrease our country's dependence on foreign energy sources, and help defuse the worst impacts of climate change.
Consider energy efficiency, the "lowest hanging fruit" for creating shovel-ready jobs, improving company bottom lines and slashing global warming pollution. While many efficiency activities have a positive return on investment, financial and organizational barriers often stand in the way of implementing these projects. Investments in building retrofits, home weatherization and rebate programs, coupled with policies such as a national Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, will help remove those barriers.
Such incentives would be a win-win for many U.S. businesses. Upfront investments we collectively make today will yield long-term financial benefits in the years to come. Companies such as Nike, Timberland and Sun Microsystems, which have focused on reducing energy use across their U.S. facilities in recent years, will achieve even greater efficiency gains. What these companies do at home can also be transferred to their manufacturing facilities and other cogs in their extensive global supply chains. For companies like Nike, which is already working with overseas contract factories in Asia to cut their energy use, the potential cost savings are huge.
 |
Incentives for renewable energy can achieve similar benefits. More renewable energy projects would dot the American landscape if investors had loan guarantees and a commitment to extend existing production tax credits for renewable energy. As innovation and economies of scale reduce costs, large-scale wind and solar projects will become more viable for big-name consumer companies, including Starbucks and Levi Strauss & Co., that are already using renewable power and are eager to buy -- or even build -- more.
The stimulus bill should also kick-start the long talked about "smart" power grid. Just as the Internet is a global platform for innovation around information, business and entertainment, our grid must be a national platform for innovation in generation and consumption of clean energy. Unfortunately our antiquated system cannot meet our current demands, let alone the needs of a greener America.
It has serious efficiency problems. If the energy grid was only 5 percent more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to taking 53 million cars off the road. The current grid is also ill-equipped to provide effective transmission of renewable energy. Building thousands of miles of new transmission lines will make it possible to move electricity from wind farms and solar fields in the Plains, West and Southwest to consumers across the country. Finally, the grid lacks the capacity to support emerging, clean technologies such as plug-in electric vehicles.
With the right direction and boost from Washington -- including legislation later this year to limit greenhouse gas emissions -- American business can take a lead role in the global clean energy future.
On his first day in office, Obama acknowledged the nation is at a rare crossroads, where the right choice leads us forward to strength and prosperity. For businesses, workers and the nation, it's the green road that is the path for the future.
Ceres President Mindy Lubber and David Douglas, senior vice president of cloud computing and chief sustainability officer at Sun Microsystems, are members of Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy.
Residential Solar?
The comment immediately above suggests that we'll see a million rooftops in PV in less than 10 years only if the solar industry receives bailouts, subsidies and tax exclusions.
Perhaps if we give no bailouts, subsidies and tax exclusions, we'll only see 1/2 million homes with solar, but a much stronger industry that can stand on it's own two feet?
Must we all be victims, only to move ahead when our Federal Government gives us permission and subsidies?
How DIS-EMPOWERING. How UN-AMERICAN.
Let's be like Ford Motor Co, and say "NO!" to bailouts and subsidies. Let's do it on our own.
You can achieve whatever you want if you put your mind to it. Don't wait for your Government handout to start. Go out and market and start building.
If solar is not cost-effective now, just wait until gas hits $6 a gallon and everybody rushes for electric vehicles or whatever.
You'll soon have your day in the sun!
Residential Solar
Mindy, David, your comments are well founded. Perhaps you would also assist us in leading the charge to make residential solar/alternative energy more viable to the residential/consumer level purchaser. At the same time we need to guide members of Congress and the Obama administration on the need to encourage US based MANUFACTURING in this sector as sadly most of the PV/wind turbines and almost 98% of the power electronics are made off-shore.
The following represent a meaningful starting point.
In order to make consumer/residential level solar PV financially viable we need a national policy that:
1. Establishes a fixed rebate schedule of $5 per watt declining 1 for 2 based upon a total installed cost starting at $10 per watt. (ie - $8/W installed nets a $4/W rebate)
2. All solar PV installations are exempt from sales tax
3. All solar PV installations are excluded from the building property tax basis
4. Establish a local - State, County, City, Municipal ten-year bond funding program for Solar PV, Wind, small-scale Hydro, and Natural Gas refueling infrastructure with bonds being sold at 4% and funds made available at 5%. (this provides a positive cash flow to the agency for a change!)
5. Enable all such funds used in 4 above to be repaid via a ten-year property tax levy on the property where the assets are permanently attached.
Without the above there is no way we will see a million rooftops of PV in less than 10 years.
Positive v Negative
I wonder if there is an excessive amount of pessimism about the economy and the job loss. Without a doubt the economy is in a very tenuous position but isn't now the time to believe in our inherent ability to overcome, survive, and thrive?
Instead of wasting too much time figuring out where blame lies (analysis of past mistakes is necessary to a degree) lets spend time developing solutions for ourselves and perhaps more help the people around us.
Now is a time to tighten our belts and push forward believing in our inherent ability to succeed.
http://www.weeklypoint.com/2009/02/06/are-job-losses-accelerating/
Ugh!
I have enough faith in the green / sustainability movement to believe that we don't need subsidies and handouts from the government to make all this a reality.
I believe in the creativity and ingenuity of individuals to reach our goals. I've never asked for a handout from the government and I'm sad that so many companies and people are lining up.
Congratulations to Ford who had the guts to say they didn't want bailout money. One of the last truly American companies with a truly American spirit!
Some of the small, well run banks that never got caught up with sub-prime have refused bailout money.
Let's rally the green / sustainable industry to say "NO!" to bailouts. We can create the future ourselves without government intervention.