FEDS MUST MATCH OTHER NATIONS’ NEW ENERGY SPENDING

America is losing the green energy race
Sunil Sharan, December 7, 2011 (Washington Post)

"The race to renewable energy is on, and…the United States continues to fall behind…China accounted for at least half of the world’s solar cell production in 2010. In wind power, China squeezed past America in November 2011 to become the top wind-power producer…Meanwhile, most American companies prefer going overseas when it comes to manufacturing renewable energy technologies, exporting desperately-needed jobs and intellectual property…

"…[S]mart meters, which communicate energy data over long distances, represent a rare exception where American companies lead the world in green technology…[but] an increasing number of smart meters are being manufactured overseas. Embattled Energy Secretary Steven Chu [recently] lamented…that Americans invented technologies such as solar cells, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries, only to see them adopted overseas faster than at home. Smart meters may be the next casualty."

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"…Despite a stalemate in federal policy, 24 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have passed a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) — a binding target for renewable energy production [that drives New Energy growth]…[T]he European Union, with a population of about 500 million, and a standard of living equivalent to ours, has forged ahead. In 2007, the EU leaders agreed to mandate that a 20 percent share of energy consumption must come from renewable sources by 2020. And the region is reportedly on track to meet that goal.

"Congress refuses to budge even as America continues to lose ground, and its intransigence could continue for years, compounding on the nation’s competitiveness problem. A way out is for President Obama to pass an executive order mandating a nationwide RPS, moderate enough to make the climate amenable for renewable energy but not so aggressive that it will be hard to meet or needlessly inflame partisan passions. Such an order would immediately empower the nation…"