theatlantic.com— Clean energy benefited from billions in stimulus funding. But as projects fail to deliver many jobs, that government support could poison the movement.
Sep 24, 2011View in Crawl 4
When a business cannot support itself financially, there is no reason the government should prop it up. This goes for green energy, banks, the post office, etc. Make a product that is financially sound and you'll make money.
More than anything, I think it's a matter of overreach. We have been in a fossil fuel based society for over a century and all of a sudden it's "In 20 years we need to be 100% green energy!"
How about starting small - give me a lower energy lightbulb that gives the same light as incandescent and price it competitively. Continue to work on making coal cleaner with "soot traps" (or whatever they are called). Work on making nuclear safer, solar and wind more efficient, etc. The problem is trying to subsidize those endeavors so the average consumer can buy them Day 1.
More than anything, I think it's a matter of overreach. We have been in a fossil fuel based society for over a century and all of a sudden it's "In 20 years we need to be 100% green energy!"
How about starting small - give me a lower energy lightbulb that gives the same light as incandescent and price it competitively. Continue to work on making coal cleaner with "soot traps" (or whatever they are called). Work on making nuclear safer, solar and wind more efficient, etc. The problem is trying to subsidize those endeavors so the average consumer can buy them Day 1.
Your error is in assuming the "go green" issue is a rational issue. It is not.
It's the issue of people who want what they want, they want it now, who aren't interested in discussing the matter and, oh by the way, someone had better give them what they want or a temper tantrum will follow.
The reason it's "not easy being green, especially during a recession" is that all the income that could once be diverted to projects that will never show a profit but will shut up the incessantly whiny is no longer flowing. So my own former governor, Jennifer Granholm, had to give up her rosy dream of being a green goddess by putting a commercially unsupportable wind farm on the Leelanau peninsula. Awww.
You mean its tough to redistribute wealth in a recession.Thats all this is.A smoke screen to make the porch sitters permanent members.Green energy right now would only be 1/10 0f 1% of the energy we need in this country.To date every green energy job cost $2 million jobs.I really don't think that helps America Barry.
Investing in green technology is still a great investment... No doubt investing in oil, coal, and gas have better short term potential... but we need to be thinking about our economic health in the long term in addition to the short term.
There is no guarantee that investing in green energy is a "great investment." The technology simply isn't there yet and will not be pushed forward with billions of government dollars being thrown at it at this time. Even so, if I could throw $10K of solar panels or a windmill in my backyard to provide all my house' energy, I would be the first in line.
There is no guarantee with any investment... it all takes risk. That said, it doesn't take a genius to recognize that the world is quickly using up its limited amount of fossil fuels... those who invested in green technology will have a competitive advantage in the coming years... I'd like America to be that country with a competitive advantage.
Hmmm. Here in California green energy is where all of the new jobs are. The old tech is stagnating.
Why is everyone complaining about subsidizing green energy? It's literally a drop in the oil barrel compared to the subsidies Big Oil is getting. You want to complain? Complain about that.
You shouldn't count all the "green" government jobs. Also not the bloggers paid to astroturf for "green" companies, pressure groups and foundations. And deduct 1100 for Solyndra.
partrowSep 24, 2011
A lot of people during this recession are green, with envy, of those who have jobs when they themselves do not.
chriskzooSep 24, 2011
When a business cannot support itself financially, there is no reason the government should prop it up. This goes for green energy, banks, the post office, etc. Make a product that is financially sound and you'll make money.
ect5150Sep 24, 2011
This is true. Unfortunately, people just aren't willing (or able) to pay for going green.
chriskzooSep 24, 2011
More than anything, I think it's a matter of overreach. We have been in a fossil fuel based society for over a century and all of a sudden it's "In 20 years we need to be 100% green energy!"
How about starting small - give me a lower energy lightbulb that gives the same light as incandescent and price it competitively. Continue to work on making coal cleaner with "soot traps" (or whatever they are called). Work on making nuclear safer, solar and wind more efficient, etc. The problem is trying to subsidize those endeavors so the average consumer can buy them Day 1.
chriskzooSep 24, 2011
More than anything, I think it's a matter of overreach. We have been in a fossil fuel based society for over a century and all of a sudden it's "In 20 years we need to be 100% green energy!"
How about starting small - give me a lower energy lightbulb that gives the same light as incandescent and price it competitively. Continue to work on making coal cleaner with "soot traps" (or whatever they are called). Work on making nuclear safer, solar and wind more efficient, etc. The problem is trying to subsidize those endeavors so the average consumer can buy them Day 1.
arpadSep 24, 2011
Your error is in assuming the "go green" issue is a rational issue. It is not.
It's the issue of people who want what they want, they want it now, who aren't interested in discussing the matter and, oh by the way, someone had better give them what they want or a temper tantrum will follow.
The reason it's "not easy being green, especially during a recession" is that all the income that could once be diverted to projects that will never show a profit but will shut up the incessantly whiny is no longer flowing. So my own former governor, Jennifer Granholm, had to give up her rosy dream of being a green goddess by putting a commercially unsupportable wind farm on the Leelanau peninsula. Awww.
chriskzooSep 24, 2011
As a fellow Michigan resident, I'm with you. Granholm could not have been more of a disaster.
RookusSep 24, 2011
You mean its tough to redistribute wealth in a recession.Thats all this is.A smoke screen to make the porch sitters permanent members.Green energy right now would only be 1/10 0f 1% of the energy we need in this country.To date every green energy job cost $2 million jobs.I really don't think that helps America Barry.
austinjameshereSep 24, 2011
Investing in green technology is still a great investment... No doubt investing in oil, coal, and gas have better short term potential... but we need to be thinking about our economic health in the long term in addition to the short term.
chriskzooSep 24, 2011
There is no guarantee that investing in green energy is a "great investment." The technology simply isn't there yet and will not be pushed forward with billions of government dollars being thrown at it at this time. Even so, if I could throw $10K of solar panels or a windmill in my backyard to provide all my house' energy, I would be the first in line.
austinjameshereSep 24, 2011
There is no guarantee with any investment... it all takes risk. That said, it doesn't take a genius to recognize that the world is quickly using up its limited amount of fossil fuels... those who invested in green technology will have a competitive advantage in the coming years... I'd like America to be that country with a competitive advantage.
ninhSep 26, 2011
Depends on what you count as fossil fuels. If you include thorium and shale gas, we're set for centuries.
u2canfailSep 24, 2011
Being at the bottom of every list is so GOP. China is doing green!
http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2011/09/23/china_and_solyndra
miklkitSep 24, 2011
Hmmm. Here in California green energy is where all of the new jobs are. The old tech is stagnating.
Why is everyone complaining about subsidizing green energy? It's literally a drop in the oil barrel compared to the subsidies Big Oil is getting. You want to complain? Complain about that.
https://sites.google.com/site/nvcphotos/11
ninhSep 26, 2011
You shouldn't count all the "green" government jobs. Also not the bloggers paid to astroturf for "green" companies, pressure groups and foundations. And deduct 1100 for Solyndra.