RE: Research Topics

["Ugoretz, Steven M" <UgoreS@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us>]

I'm not going to argue with the political assumptions you're making
(although other list members may do so).  Some of that is the intrinsic
modus operandi of the dominant economic system, and it's the one that's in
the driver's seat for the forseeable future.

Some of the things I mentioned are "preconditions" for getting into the
queue for implementation by the economic system.  From the perspective of an
environmental impact specialist, the important point is that the
environmental benefits of biomass development will only be attained when
it's integrated into the system.  Green power programs, Renewable Portfolio
Standards, etc. are demonstrated means of getting these things out on the
landscape, and into the public agenda.

Thanks for the response!!

> ----------
> From: 	Motie[SMTP:motie@paulbunyan.net]
> Sent: 	Thursday, April 18, 2002 12:46 PM
> To: 	Ugoretz, Steven M
> Subject: 	Re: Research Topics
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ugoretz, Steven M" <UgoreS@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us>
> To: "'Harry W. Parker'" <Harry.Parker@ttu.edu>; <Carefreeland@aol.com>;
> <anouk@shaw.ca>; "'Weststeijn, Andries'" <Andries.Weststeijn@essent.nl>
> Cc: <bioenergy@crest.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 8:27 AM
> Subject: RE: Research Topics
> 
> 
> > The simple fact is that societies, and their political expressions
> through
> > laws and policies, do not run on the bare bones of "pure" economics.
> > Governments use taxes , other incentives such as research and
> development
> > subsidies, and a multitude of other means to implement policy
> objectives.
> >
> > The question is really whether there is enough political will to
> implement
> > those measures.  That, somewhat unfortunately, comes down to who stands
> to
> > benefit or lose economically and politically from that policy.  Biomass
> > energy, broadly defined,has some powerful friends on the agricultural
> side,
> > but perhaps not a clearly defined power bloc in the other
> > feedstocks/processes.
> >
> > It may take a certain "critical mass" of business interests,
> environmental
> > advocates, farm groups, and urban consumers willing to pay  a bit more
> > through green power programs to really kick start biomass as a
> significant
> > contributor to this country's energy supply.  Maybe a few more oil
> embargos
> > would help too, for that matter.  There also has to be that critical
> > infrastructure to make, transport, and sell the products.  That too
> doesn't
> > appear overnight, and may have some political costs:  nobody likes big
> > pipelines regardless of whether they're transporting petroleum products,
> > natural gas, or a biofuel.
> >
> > It all seems to come down to education, persistance, R D &D efforts, and
> > suitable policies (including incentives of all kinds) to push the
> industry
> > into commercial viability.
> >
> > I guess the bottom line is keep plugging away on all fronts, and
> eventually
> > things will start happening.  You can see that with the wind industry in
> > Europe and this country, so we know it's possible.
> >
> >
>  In my personal experience, the Powers-That-Be can see the handwriting on
> the wall, that Biomass and other Alternative Energy is going to become
> more
> common. They are tied up in Oil, Coal, Natural Gas and Hydro to provide
> for
> current energy needs. I believe there is active resistance to development
> of
> Alternatives, until the Big Guys can manuever into a controlling position.
> They will allow us to develop the technologies at our own expense. They
> will
> NOT allow them to be implemented unless they have a controlling interest.
> We spend our time and effort on R&D. They spend their time and money
> blocking us from implementing our developments, through their political
> connections and availbility of campaign finance money.
> 
> I will acknowledge up-front that I may not have an unbiased view, due to
> current personal experience. The current tactic seems to be to stall and
> delay until I am either bankrupted, or abandon my work for something
> non-controversial. (Like Company Employee with the Company owning all
> intellectual property rights?)
> 
> Motie
> 
> 

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