If people invest in sustainable energy and energy efficient solutions that market demand should create a need for the supply. We shouldn't rely on the government to create a solution.

Posted by Katie | June 24, 2008 3:01 PM

The market is never sufficient by itself

Posted by Adam Yoffie | June 24, 2008 4:00 PM

Only an idiot would suggest that the free hand of the market will lead to a solution. Government plays a hugely important role in these kind of national policy issues. If you don't think so, move to Iraq. Then you can see what limited government really looks like.

Posted by Mike | June 26, 2008 2:03 PM

The power of the private sector is greatly under-estimated.

Posted by Aaron S | August 19, 2008 1:06 PM

A successful renewable energy solution must be a dynamic partnership between the market and the government.

Unfettered greed prohibits success by industry alone. Likewise, the government alone can provide neither the financial incentives for researchers nor the effective methods to bring new technologies to the public.

By working together with a combination of profit incentives and social responsibility, we can foster an environment where researchers can "do the right things" for our society and our environment.

Posted by RL Barrett | August 31, 2008 6:48 PM

The government must validate GHG as pollutants, just as for SOx and NOx. Then the emitter should pay on a cap and trade mechanism, much like is already in place for SOx and NOx emissions.
The government must place an appropriate value on a tonne of CO2 (or CO2e). When a barrel of oil is +$120, $15 to 25 per tonne is a joke. There should be a mechanism that scales the GHG tax per tonne according to the price of oil, coal or NG.
All of this money must be used to ease and speed the transition for the consumer to the next generation of sustainable living (see British Columbia's GHG taxation policy).
Collectively, such an approach would stimulate the already massive growth in renewable energy!

Posted by Joseph Fournier | September 7, 2008 12:53 PM

the GVT really has no interest in R&D for ANY energy source that it cannot tax and control, why else would we still not have appropriate alternatives? We pay plenty in taxes now, the GVT does a very poor job of using what we pay to "promote the common good" now. What makes anyone think that more money will be the answer???
You need to realize, the problem does NOT lie in the "money" the problem lies in a corrupt GVT that uses energy (prices/scares) as one means to keep its population under control. Food is NEXT on the agenda, ergo ongoing food contamination scares which provide a "justifiable" reason to put into law legislation which will be the death knell for small independent farmers...And you will all clamor for that legislation so you can be "safe".
I cannot believe what my country has become,a nation so willing to cede rights to others rather than a nation of strong individuals.
Tax me please, don't leave me out here all alone...wow, a 180 from the way this nation was founded.

Posted by fricknfarms | November 12, 2008 9:25 AM

The government has neither the wit nor the integrity to run the energy business. The politicians are so attached to their special interests that they will be rewarding their friends rather than doing what is best for the country. See Diane Feinstein's recent effort to get goodies for her California friends.
The government has no demonstrated skill in running anything effectively. The whole sub-prime housing debacle was orchestrated by Congress and they killed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and now we, the taxpayers, have to clean up their mess. Why should anyone believe that Congress could do any better with energy or health care?
We shoulld note that the push for sustainable fuels is not really needed for another 30 years or more just based on the energy reserves we have here in this country and off our shores. The push for sustainability is based more on emotions than reality.

Posted by Don Phillips | December 5, 2008 10:35 AM