January 8th, 2009
Obama's push for alternative energy
Today President-elect Obama was specific in his call for more spending on energy conservation and on production of alternative, not-fossil-fuel-based, energy. Some items on the Obama wish list for his hoped-for stimulus plan: double alternative energy production in three years, construct a smarter electric grid to reduce waste, spending on insulation and other conservation moves.
Obama wants to modernize thousands of federally-owned buildings around the nation to conserve energy. Among other aspects of the Obama proposal that could affect greentech: more broadband service for rural areas, and more money for scientific research. Also, billions could be funnelled to states, counties and cities to spend on public works. Not clear how many strings would be attached to that money.
So far I’ve seen nothing about repaying families or businesses who make energy-saving capital improvements, or buy fuel efficient vehicles. Not a whipser about nuclear energy, yea or nay. I’ve seen little to indicate mass transit will get much help so fewer peopel have to drive…if they have jobs to drive to. Nothing about city planning to make cars less necessary for dakily life in sprawled America. The U.S. has a long, happy tradition of paying farmers for NOT growing crops that were considered excess. Why don’t we drivers get a periodic mileage allotment and then they could pay us for each mile NOT DRIVEN?
Latest estimates: nothing will get through Congress before mid-February. Well before that time the Detroit automaker demise will come back around for attention, or ignoring.
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A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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