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Desperately hoping to convalesce the near-death economy, the 111th United States Congress rang in on the high note of the new Barack Obama administration to quickly pass a $787 billion pay-as-you-go plan, known as the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” – which in many respects is a modification of Bush’s October 2008 stimulus package.
Light poles short of a detailed energy plan, Congress allocated $113.5 billion from the emergency bill towards high-tech transportation systems, energy-efficiency programs, and expansion in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biofuels, clean coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, geothermal and natural gas.
And on March 19, while on his recovery road show at a Southern California Edison electric vehicle demo center in Pomona, Obama announced a $2 billion competitive bid for the brightest ideas on manufacturing long-lasting batteries and efficient parts for green cars.
The President also announced $400 million for stringing up the infrastructure to power green cars across the interstate, with the hope that by 2015 there would be at least one million plug-in hybrid vehicles on U.S. roads. And to move these green cars from the showroom to the tar mat, taxpayers can claim up to $7,500 in federal rebates for purchasing clean vehicles – making it easier for more Americans to get behind the green wheel and drive.
However, the reality of an auto industry besieged by the stagnated economy puts the dimmers on the President’s 2015 vision for green vehicles. Not only have lawmakers been stiff on funding advanced green tech over the past 10 years under Bush’s rule, but also developers with the most advanced automobiles, transmission and energy delivery systems have been distributing their green wares across the globe, excepting in the U.S.
“Germany is leading the world in solar power,” the President observed. “Spain generates almost 30 percent of its power by harnessing the wind, while we manage less than one percent. And Japan is producing the batteries that currently power American hybrid cars,” Obama said.
Congress, and corporations alike, must dispel any duplicity of mind when it comes to technology and sustainability. As a country, America cannot continue to desire fast results without hard work, neither can the country expect new development without available investment.
President Obama said, “Often, our greatest discoveries are born not in a flash of brilliance, but in the crucible of a deliberate effort over time. And often, they take something more than imagination and dedication alone – often they take an investment from government. That’s how we sent a man to the moon. That’s how we were able to launch a world wide web. And it’s how we’ll build the clean energy economy that’s the key to our competitiveness in the 21st century.”
The intent of Obama’s focus on green energy is that the U.S. would not just play catch-up in the renewable and sustainable arena; instead, America would assume leadership across the platform. But to aspire to top status on the green stage, a decisive vision would need to be implemented immediately. Obama believes that in three years, the nation will double up on renewable energy delivery by investing $15 billion per year in renewables.
The President claims that his budget is one “that makes overdue investments in education, health care, and yes, energy – investments that will catalyze innovation and industry, creating green jobs and launching clean, renewable energy companies.”
President Obama’s plan also outlines massive near-term investments in wiring thousands of miles of new power lines from state to state to connect and deliver electricity. And like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal of the1930s, Barack Obama’s Recovery Act of 2009 will undoubtedly spur a wellspring of needed jobs whether white-collar, blue-collar, green-collar, or collarless.
Spending Obama’s Green Bills
Department of Energy Snapshot
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy - $16.8B
--Weatherization - $5.0B
--State Energy Program - $3.1B
--Advanced Batteries Manufacturing - $2.0B
--Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy - $6.7B
Environmental Management $6.0B
Smart Grid & related programs $4.5B
Fossil Energy R&D $3.4B
Science $1.6B
ARPA-E $0.4B
Department of Energy TOTAL $32.7B
