Renewable Energy and think tanks

The UCS has written an analysis of renewable energy that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed on August 2007— 15 percent by 2020 Renewable Electricity Standard. They are trying to push a new bill for 20 percent by 2020. They have estimated that by their policy suggestion, it could affect the economy and help prevent global warming by:

· Job Creation— ­­185,000 new jobs from renewable energy development
· Economic Development— $66.7 billion in new capital investment, $25.6 billion in income to farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners, and $2 billion in new local tax revenues
· Consumer Savings— $10.5 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills by 2020 (growing to $31.8 billion by 2030)
· Climate Solutions— Reductions in global warming pollution equal to taking 36.4 million cars off the road (Cashing on Clean Energy: UCS)

There is a confrontation between the think tanks that are making policies to prevent global warming and the think tanks that say it still is not a serious problem. It is easy to understand that they are clearly in opposite positions. EPI (Economic Policy Institute) has been working on promoting re-industrializing manufacturing appealing the need of renewable energy industry to grow. On the other hand, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute believe that regulation from the government will obstruct the growth of the economy. The reports from these conservative think tanks are always claiming that the evaluation of America’s environment is too crucial and America is doing a good job taking in mind that it is the economically largest country in the world. But looking at Mother Jones’ report, ExxonMobil has been putting money into think tanks that are against the restriction of carbon dioxide and the use of biofuels; such as The Heritage Foundation, Brooking Institute Competitive Enterprise Institute and American Enterprise Institute (Put a Tiger In Your Think Tank). There is always power and influence by major corporations when conservative think tanks make policies for the economy— there is always an objection to new ideas to protect the present situation.

Toda