Report Shows Green Policies Increase Greenbacks

California’s governor sided with environmentalists May 20, claiming that green technology equals an expanding and sustainable state economy. “Leadership is exactly what we need to tackle the enormous challenges of climate change while protecting economic growth,” California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said at a May 20 press conference. He lauded a report released at the conference by the Environmental Defense Fund chronicling renewable energy and energy efficiency measures at major companies that decrease carbon emissions and increase profits. Entitled, Making Green the New Business as Usual, it showcases 31 firms said to be creating new markets and increasing their economic competitiveness through green technology. The companies, 11 of which are based in California, have implemented a variety of measures to lighten their carbon impacts--including solar panels, green building design, capturing and converting methane to power onsite facilities, allowing telecommuting by employees, and reducing greenhouse gases from company vehicles. The report touts solar energy, crediting the growth spurt in installations of solar systems on commercial buildings to the expanded use of Power Purchase Agreements. Under these deals, companies like SunPower install, maintain, and own the system and sell the power back to the owner of the underlying building. “Industry analysts predict PPAs will gain 65 percent to 75 percent of the market share for commercial solar installation in 2008,” states EDFs’ report. The companies profiled include SunPower, Sun Microsystems, Sierra Brewing, Bank of America, UPS, Fed Ex, Patagonia, and major retail outlets. What They’re Saying . . . “The cost of not acting could end up worse than the Great Depression,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT). “As if it were a gigantic federal banking system,” Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) referring to a cap-and-trade auction. “We need to recognize they use these assumptions to support [their own ends],” Sen. Lisa Murkoski (R-AK).

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Report Shows Green Policies Increase Greenbacks

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