Re: Research Topics

[FMurrl@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/21/2002 1:51:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time, motie@paulbunyan.net writes:


> I am sick of the energy industry insisting that
> renewables (solar, wind, etc.) are too expensive--not
> cost competitive--since that depends entirely on the
> degree to which the social costs of energy use are
> reflected in the price (which is very little at
> present) and the amount of investment and research
> dollars we put into developing these technologies
> (which is also relatively tiny still).


I am not entirely sure that I disagree with the point you are making -- at least to the extent that I understand it. 

The fact is that we have to deal with what people are willing to support. Right now, that means that renewables must be cost competitive. If the governments help competitiveness with tax credits, etc., so much the better. However, wishing things were different doesn't get us very far. 

The goal at our company is to do well by doing good. That means that we have to develop renewable projects that have commercial merit, when taken into consideration with government programs. 

Regards,
Fred Murrell
Biomass Development
Bradenton Florida USA