Blowing within the Wind: Renewable Power because the Resolution to an Financial system Adrift

Blowing in the Wind: Renewable Energy as the Answer to an Economy Adrift – mars-2:hrs02EI_GW2175_080306 – Rayburn 2175 – Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming – 2008-03-06 – With Wall Street tumbling, oil prices rising, and the specter of a recession hanging over America’s economy, new, invigorating economic strategies could put America’s economic growth back on course. One of those strategies is increasing the use of renewable energy technologies, which holds the potential for economic growth and domestic job creation. The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming examined how smart policies that promote the construction of renewable energy can create jobs and grow the economy. The range of jobs available in a green economy is wide and the potential employment impact is substantial. A recent analysis by the Cleantech Venture Network estimated that as many as 500,000 green jobs could be created by 2010. However, with key tax credits for renewable technologies set to expire at the end of 2008, America faces the prospect of losing more than 100,000 domestic job opportunities in 2009 alone. WITNESS LIST: Bianca Jagger, Chair, World Future Council; Vic Abate, Vice President, Renewable Energy, General Electric; Tom Buis, President, National Farmers Union; Barbara Lockwood, Manager, Renewable Energy Arizona Public Service Co.; Blair Sweezey, Senior Director, Solar Markets and Public Policy, Applied Materials; Bill Unger, Partner Emeritus, Mayfield Fund (Representing Environmental Entrepreneurs). Video provided by U.S. House of Representatives.