Green Options » government investment

NASA and DOE Developing the First Space-Based Dark Energy Observatory

Timothy B. Hurst — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:23:20 +0000

NASA and the Department of Energy are working together to build the first space-based observatory designed to understand the nature of dark energy.

One of the most significant scientific findings in the last decade was that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The acceleration is caused by a previously unknown dark energy that makes up approximately 70 percent of the total mass energy content of the universe. The discovery of dark energy showed that empty space is filled with a mysterious energy that increases as the universe expands. While Einstein initially proposed a cosmological constant that could explain the dark energy, it is the amount of dark energy that is difficult to understand.

Three Quarters of Americans Support Investment in Clean Energy

Timothy B. Hurst — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:01:30 +0000

Poll suggest changes in voter attitudes towards clean energy and global warming

Throughout his campaign, though more fervently towards the end of it, Barack Obama made it clear that investing in renewable energy and focusing on building a new energy economy would be a centerpiece of his agenda should he have won. And now that he has, the results of a new Zogby poll suggest he’s got the public mandate to do it.

According to the post-election survey, 78% believe investing in clean energy is important to revitalizing America’s economy. Of those, 50% said they strongly agree clean energy investment is vital to the nation’s economic future.

Obama would Continue to Make Clean Energy Top Priority Amidst Financial Crisis

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:34:31 +0000

In last week’s presidential debate, Democrat Senator Barack Obama declared his intention to link energy and the environment to the solutions that will help us out of our current economic mess. Kate Sheppard reports at Grist that Barack Obama has expanded on how and why he will continue to focus on energy, despite the current economic downturn.

At a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada, Obama said that in light of the current economic situation, some portions of any platform would have to be pared, simply because there is less money flowing into the Treasury. But he also said other programs are critical components of an economic recovery, and should not be abandoned. Obama said:

“To create new jobs, I’ll invest in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure — our roads, schools, and bridges. We’ll rebuild our outdated electricity grid and build new broadband lines to connect America. And I’ll create the jobs of the future by transforming our energy economy. We’ll tap our natural-gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll help our auto companies re-tool so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here the United States of America. I’ll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I’ll invest $150 billion over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy — wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels — an investment that will lead to new industries and 5 million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced.”

Image credit: transplanted mountaineer via flickr under a Creative Commons License