Comments on: Advocates worry about clean energy’s future

By: Business From Around the Northwest | Vancouver Business Journal

Business From Around the Northwest | Vancouver Business Journal — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:48:45 +0000

[…] Advocates worry about clean energy’s future, Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce […]

By: NativePDX

NativePDX — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:45:28 +0000

Roads are used by , people that own cars, public transit , private transit, School buses, service companies, delivery services, commerce and trade, going to and from work, bikes, walking .

We have had roads long before the automobile, just ask the Romans.

It is not the job of the government to tax one business, while giving tax breaks to green companies. They both should be treated the same, as in equal protection under the law.

By: Cab

Cab — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:59:49 +0000

Don’t forget you are competing against other states and countries. Many large alt energy Chinese businesses are basically state subsidized, but this is nothing new. You think autos would be a business without the trillion dollar hwy investment? Private companies stand on the shoulders of the public investment and always have, its just today many believe that private companies and the market can actually function without those massive subsidies. The market was born on third but thinks it hit a triple. The lesson will be learned soon if we keep defunding basic investments. The market cannot survive outside the warm embrace of a civil society.

By: A Perspective

A Perspective — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:14:24 +0000

“’I think the government could crank up the incentives,” Upp said. ‘If you look at the long-term economic benefit and carbon benefit of having more clean energy devices, it seems shortsighted to be decreasing these credits.”

It is interesting how the market economy has disappeared and how China is the country of comparison. Incentives are mostly tax incentives that while giving a tax break to some requires others to make up the difference. States can’t print money even though they seem to act as if they can.

Arguably, state government intervention locks out the value of the market economy. Choice in which industry or companies receive “incentives” is made by those with a political agenda and not based upon the future viability of a particular project.

E.g., the incentives given to ReVolt for its research center at the airport. Whether it is the most promising technology is not something within the state’s ability to discern. But 150 jobs with a hyped promise of more led to a pure political decision.

Clean energy advocates are just another cause group seeking funds from the state government because they can’t obtain private investment. Interesting too is that most of these seekers of subsidies don’t want government regulation – just the money.

A Perspective

By: Cab

Cab — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:27 +0000

Actually Matt, you might be surprised at what energy sources get the most subsidies. If you want to talk about equal playing field then lets have the private gas, coal and oil companies pay back the massive public subsidy they received over the last 100 years to build the huge infrastructure needed to produce, distribute and clean up after for their products. Clean energy is at a 100 year subsidy disadvantage.

By: Matt Evans

Matt Evans — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:29:42 +0000

Clean energy advocates need to first break their addiction to taxpayer subsidies. None of these energy sources can currently compete with traditional energy sources without massive funding from taxpayers. Only when the playing field is leveled – and wind, solar and the like must compete on their merits – will the innovations that are necessary to allow us to replace coal and foreign oil be possible. Legislation such as the “Cap and Trade” energy tax – which is supported by Oregon Congressman David Wu, Earl Blumenauer and Kurt Schrader – would destroy jobs and delay the day when alternative energy sources can earn their rightful place in our economy.

By: nativePDX

nativePDX — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:48:52 +0000

Our air and water is much cleaner than it was in the 60’s and getting cleaner every year.
Mostly because are cars get better all the time, while transit lags way behind.

We are living through a very difficult times, and we still have the nutty enviros wanting to increase the cost of heating our homes and everything that it takes to live and make a living!