http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28934164/
It appears Obama's dedication to implementing green technologies serves several purposes: improving the environment, decreasing American reliance on foreign imports, and creating domestic jobs within our downturned economy. The goal is to create 3 million new jobs within this new employment sector (which, according to Biden, cannot be outsourced) and at the same time double America's production of renewable energy. This goal can be reached several ways. First, construction crews working on homes, schools, and offices will construct them to be more energy efficient by weatherizing and meeting other green codes ($6 billion of the stimulus package is devoted to this and is assumed to create another 465,000 jobs). The auto industry too must make adjustments by creating cars less reliant on fossil fuels, thus serving duel purposes: reducing American's dependence on the Middle East and decreasing the carbon footprint. To provide further incentive on "going green" Obama would also reward companies who seek and use alternative sources of energy with a tax credit. Overall, the stimulus bill recently passed by the House would give clean energy funding $80 billion, energy efficiency $38 billion, renewable energy $28 billion, and public transit and clean transportation $15 billion. Unlike the past administration, the Obama administration views the environmental sector as the key to help solve the current economic and international crises.
Do you have any opinions about how to stimulate the economy and concurrently help the environment? Mr. Biden would love to hear about them at: astrongmiddleclass.gov
A couple of questions for those of you who want to leave comments: is this going to work? This may create jobs, but is this type of job creation sustainable over the long-run? Will Americans have a hard time switching to more "green" uses of energy, despite the Obama Administration's support? Will developers want to construct buildings when the price to do so increases (the government can only subsidize so much green construction), thus perchance slowing down the economy? What do you think?
The Introduction
12 years ago
Great article choice Kathryn. I think this approach by the Obama administration is really interesting. I see how encouraging green jobs could help the middle class because this is a new industry that would need workers. On the other hand, I'm not sure this will work right away. I think the one issie hear is that most of these jobs might require specific training. So as long as the administration is really committed to all of these aspects, the paln can work.
ReplyDeleteHey Kathryn
ReplyDeleteThis is Alicia from PAF 502. I sat behind you and Dolly. :) Good to see you in this class. I was interested by this article since Obama has been compared to FDR during the depression and his public works plan. The principle seems the same in providing jobs. However, now we are dealing with 21st century problems and the environment. So we are able to address two problems at once. Get jobs out to the people and at the same time address problems with the environment. I strongly support any incentives for companies to produce green friendly products. If we continue to let the oil companies dominate the market there will be no changes until we are out of oil and their are riots on the streets. :)
Talk to you soon.
As an individual, I can make this stimulus work for me. I think many others could do the same. I question whether or not that stimulus is the priority.
ReplyDeleteThis bill is filled with projects that do little to stimulate the economy as a whole.
I support the administration’s position on environmental policy, but that was not supposed to be the priority.
I think this bill conflicts with the growth paradigm as it imposes governmental oversight, which can be a good thing if it plays the course. Wall Street took 700 billion to cover bad loans so they could loan money to stimulate the economy. They took the cash and are hoarding the money thus nothing has changed.
The same thing here will most likely happen here as the recipients of funds have a different goal, which is individual self interest. America runs on a market based economy not a centrally planned one.
While stimulus funds may be conditional, what framework is in place to enforce those conditions? I could not find it.
From an environmental standpoint we have to wait and see.
My take is that we all will have to be satisfied with less.
Hi Katie,
ReplyDeleteI really like the questions you pose. It's always good to think about things from all perspectives. However, I pose this question, as a result of doing research for next week's project and looking at Obama's campaign promises. What is the alternative? Years of indecisive administrations, policies that have not been properly implemented, and ignoring the problem have not worked so far. There is scientific evidence that we are doing irreparable damage to the environment, we are becoming more dependent on foreign energy, and our economy is suffering. I think that the worst thing Obama could do, is nothing. In theory, this plan will work. However, only time will tell the impact that it will really have. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Hi Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this article and your overview. You point out some interesting questions. I believe the article is a bit optimistic. The job creation is probably not sustainable over the long-term. However, with our current economy it would be great to create jobs – even if temporary – to give Americans the opportunity to make ends meet. Plus, it will lesson the burden on the states by lowering the unemployment rates.
I do believe that it will be difficult for Americans to switch to being “green.” Mostly because I think that the average American does not know what they can do on a daily basis to lower their carbon footprint. With lack of knowledge, it will be imperative that the federal government educates the public, which will most likely be costly. Additionally, environmentally friendly products are usually more expensive than their counterparts. In tough economic times, it’s not encouraging to price items in this manner and makes it harder to encourage Americans to be more environmentally conscious. I’m curious to know if it actually costs more to build environmentally friendly products or if the market inflates it. When we are thinking long-term, it would be more beneficial to build energy efficient buildings.