Via the RTD, Governor Kaine plans to focus the 2009 session on energy, the environment and combating climate change. I agree with RK, if the Governor is serious about encouraging a renewable energy economy in the Commonwealth, this is a huge opportunity for Virginia.
Even in the face of a budget shortfall and a looming recession, there are opportunities to grow the Virginia economy and create jobs with renewable energy research, development and production.
Areas like the Virginia Highlands and the Atlantic coast offer attractive resources for wind and tidal power, and Southside and Southwest could easily fill manufacturing plants skilled laborers who could use the work.
If Governor Kaine makes a serious effort this year to encourage land and energy consumption and attract renewable energy companies to build production or parts manufacturing plants in places like Southside and Highland County he will do his part open the door for rapid, sustainable economic growth in Virginia.
Unfortunately, any legislative proposal will have to go through the House Republican caucus. As we speak Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, Bill Howell and Morgan Griffith are planning to obstruct any plan introduced by the Governor regardless of its merits.
These guys have stood in the door of sensible solutions for three straight years and unless they have had a conversion in light of yet another crushing defeat for their party in Virginia, they will put politics ahead of good policy once again in 2009. For the sake of the economy and the environment, I hope for once they prove me wrong.
November 14, 2008 at 2:24 pm
We must not as a nation forget the role the high cost of our dependence on foreign fuel played in the demise of our automakers. The exorbitant cost of gas the past year has done serious damage to our economy and society. We need to take lessons from our mistakes.WE also need to get out from under the grip our dependence on fore gin oil has on us. Why not take some of these billions and invest in America becoming energy independent. Driving an electric car would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon. The electricity could be generated by solar or wind power. Green technology would create millions of badly needed new jobs. What America needs is a green revolution. It is time for us to move forward with alternative energy. I just read Jeff Wilson’s new book The Manhattan Project of 2009. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about the downward spiral of our economy and it’s effect on our society and would like to see our country become energy independent!
http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com