US to cut funds for two renewable energy sources - by Mark Clayton CSM

[applegrove]

US to cut funds for two renewable energy sources

Geothermal and hydropower are mature enough for private enterprise to take the lead, the government says.

By Mark Clayton
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
September 15, 2006 edition


"US to cut funds for two renewable energy sources
Geothermal and hydropower are mature enough for private enterprise to take the lead, the government says.
By Mark Clayton | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

Out at the Wanapum Dam on the Columbia River, a new turbine is being tested that generates more electricity, but won't kill so many fish - thanks to research dollars from Uncle Sam.
Down in California's Long Valley, on the Sierra Nevada range, federal researchers are working to boost efficiency of geothermal energy, which uses the earth's natural heat to generate power.

But renewable energy advocates may have to kiss goodbye those and other research projects. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is quitting the hydropower and geothermal power research business - if Congress will let it.

Declaring them "mature technologies" that need no further funding, the Bush administration in its FY 2007 budget request eliminates hydropower and geothermal research, venerable programs with roots in the energy crises of the 1970s.

.... SNIP"


http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0915/p02s01-uspo.html

[applegrove]

1. Who decides that successful technology should automatically go to

the private market? Much money to be made by "new industry". Why shouldn't government benefit from its investment for a bit.

Almost like in any instance when government could make money..it has to be handed over to private investors so they can benefit...like it is a crime for anyone other than rich people in the stock market to make money.

If this is what is meant by "specialization" COUNT ME OUT!!

It would make just as much sense for government to stay in the industry for another twenty years.. and then sell when geothermal is a huge asset.

[blm]

2. Yep - "No difference between the two parties. We all know Gore and Kerry

would have done the exact same thing."

So we were told ad nauseum.

(She said while clutching her stomach.)

[applegrove]

4. I don't think so. I think Gore and Kerry would have held onto govern

ment participation in emerging industries for a while longer.

It just seems that the GOP want government to be erased in fields unless there is no money to be made.

For sure government cannot be in mature industries unless a public good exists.. but why do they have to "get out" just when profits are about to sky-rocket.

This so reminds me of rich people with expensive stock brokers wanted all American in the Stock Market with Social Security..where they will be able to "beat the market" because of the expertese they can afford.. and for someone to win in the market..someone else has to loose. Almost like those 20 wealthy families in the USA.. want to have some sucker to sell all their GM stock to. And unless they can put inexperienced people in the market en mass..they will have to sell their GM or Ford or (old - past its due date industry) stock at a big loss.

[blm]

8. apple, surely you didn't think I said that seriously?

Come on - - you kid, right?

[applegrove]

9. That is what the sarcasm smilie is for. Yes..I didn't know how to take

it. I'm bad with names. I never know who I am talking to. So I'm not really doing much in the way of "judging" when I read. An issue I have with other facets of my life.

[phantom power]

3. No doubt, then...

that there will be no funding for anything related to any fossil fuel-based technologies, since fossil fuels have matured for over 100 years.

heh. I crack myself up.

[applegrove]

5. Some of that is a good example of how the market is completely warped

by those 20 or 40 wealthy families in the USA. I hear ya. Tar Sands is new technology. But you are right.. investing and subsidizing oil industry so much.. just makes you want to puke.

The kid who wants all his marbles ...and yours. You knew at 4 to give up and go home. No point to hand with mean liars.

[texanshatingbush]

6. Perhaps this is BushCo's tacit admission.....

....that global warming is real and will be drying up all future opportunities for hydroelectric power.

[applegrove]

7. I think it is just about the stock market. Lots of money out there in a

few hands that wants not to have to compete with American Government for profits new technologies will bring. Nothing wrong with wanting to invest in emmerging technologies. Just not when it warps the game to investors favours all the time. Like Oil getting subsidies. Like government investing in R & D and then leaving an industry they have seeded as soon as it is about to make money. What would government do with such profits? Why re-invest in more R&D in other alternative fuels. But if they leave as soon as it becomes realistic... they've just spent the money and handed it over to the stock market for them to make the profit.