Dear Congressman,
Sorry I am not hand writing this letter, but to be frank I plan on sending this question / recommendation to my U.S. Congressional Representative in addition to your office.
I am writing this letter as I am concerned with the action that Congress is taking with respect to the funding and promotion of clean energy. I say clean energy because I do not want a response that dives into the minutia of “alternative energy.” I do not consider the liquefaction of coal or the use of switch grass or corn to make bio-fuel viable options, particularly after the studies that question bio-fuel production to be carbon positive over its production lifetime. Those options seem like Band-Aids not answers to a growing problem. As well, I am a firm believe that the shift of land use from the production of food to the production of fuel crops will increase prices of groceries and other simple commodities that will negatively impact lower income Americans.
This letter was spurred by an article that I read from January or February of 2008 about Abu-Dhabi, capitol of the United Arab Emirates, and how a carbon free city is being constructed. The goal of the city is to be carbon neutral and to also use 60% less water than the average consumption levels of a comparable per capita urban area. The venture seems to be placing the UAE on the bleeding edge of the future of clean technology. The steps they are taking seem to be placing them at the forefront of a money making machine that is highly marketable and environmentally sound. The Middle Eastern country will also be garnering world accolades for its “green” initiative.
Secondly, the United Arab Emirates just built the largest hydrogen producing plant in the world. From popular news media outlets to simple commercials on the TV it seems that everyone wants a hydrogen powered car.
I believe that the United States should be leading this eco-fuel charge and that the USA should be positioning itself to reap the benefits, both environmental and economic, of the changing energy landscape. When I was growing up I was always told that the United States was the land of innovation and that we are the world leaders of new technology. I see this truth waning and slipping into darkness.
With regards to the green technologies and the hydrogen production capability the UAE’s technological front runner status will be established, position the country to continue their dominance in the energy production and sales arena. My concern is that this money could potentially end up in the wrong hands. I believe we are waging a war to stop such an occurrence.
In the economic interest of America, in the homeland defense interest of America and for the simple pride and patriotism of being an American I ask you to push for more money and resources to be allocated to clean technologies so that the United States can be in the Alpha position in this technological race.
CC: Representative Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania
CC: Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania
CC: Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania
Please write back!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
I think your comments and concerns are absolutely justified, but are unfortunately well beyond the "press-ready" topics our congressional leaders feel are appropriate to focus on (read: too complex to spin to their favor for votes or too thick to exploit to win over the competition). It may also just be too complex to justify to the American public. How would a comparative analysis of a predominantly Arab country faire in the eyes of any given American? An immediate reaction, unfortunately, may be to dismiss the comparison and trust our elected officials (here we are again). Also, no one cares. Given the complex nature of the policy considerations to understand and the A.D.D. culture we as a country foster, the factors to consider are cognitively above the general population.
Sadly, you won’t get a response from your congressional leaders, just the same as you would not get a response of a TV ad contemplating the very same message. Glossed eyes sir. Glossed eyes.
Post a Comment