http://www.indystar.com/article/20101012/OPINION01/10120313/Lugar-plan-outshines-other-energy-bills
Written by John Mutz
It's no secret that Indiana's economy is struggling to regain its footing. Like the rest of the country, we've lost a lot of jobs and our unemployment rate is higher than it has been in many years.
What may be surprising to some, though, are the great strides our state is making in the area of clean energy industries during these difficult economic times.
Relatively quietly, Indiana is making a name for itself as an outstanding place to manufacture electric cars and the batteries that run them, not to mention solar panels and parts for wind turbines.
Gov. Mitch Daniels and his team have rightly begun to focus on this area of opportunity for Hoosiers. Over the last year, Abound Solar in Tipton, Wind Stream Technologies in New Albany, EnerDel in Central Indiana, Anderson-based Bright Automotive, Brevini USA in Muncie, and Elkhart's Think North America have made headlines for creating jobs and giving our economy a much-needed boost.
A number of well-established companies are also having a huge impact.
Remy International in Pendleton just entered a partnership to bring a new-generation electric drive system to market. Cummins just received more than $38 million in federal grants to develop a highly efficient and clean diesel engine. Allison Transmission's new hybrid drive manufacturing plant in Indianapolis will employ 100 when it reaches full production.
Duke Energy is investing more than $2.8 billion into its coal gasification plant, which will burn a cleaner gas to produce power.
With these innovations, we're ahead of the clean energy curve, but now we need some changes to federal policy to remain there. Energy independence should be a priority in Washington. So far the House has passed a bill, and the Senate has not reached a consensus on climate change energy legislation.
One bright spot has been the fact that Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar is among those who believe that the country needs to take steps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. He's filed a bill that will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, or about 1.6 billion metric tons -- the equivalent of taking more than 240 million cars off our roads. His bill is a balanced approach that provides a reasonable step toward this goal, and it provides economic incentives that will support the growing Indiana clean energy business.
The evidence that clean energy leads to good, high-paying jobs for Hoosiers is clear. However, if you need more evidence consider this: China vaulted past Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world's largest maker of wind turbines and is poised to expand even further. In addition, the Chinese have emerged as the world's largest manufacturer of solar panels and are pushing hard to build nuclear reactors and the most efficient types of coal power plants.
No matter what the case, we do need additional legislation at the federal level. It is better to consider an approach that doesn't threaten Hoosier jobs, such as cap-and-trade, but still moves us toward the goal of energy independence. Lugar's bill does this.
Mutz is a consultant and private investor, former two-term lieutenant governor of Indiana, former president of Lilly Endowment and former president of Cinergy/PSI Indiana.
This article brought to you by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association.
Showing posts with label Brevini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brevini. Show all posts
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
'Green energy' topic of Muncie forum
September 27, 2009
The impact of the alternative energy industry
on Muncie is the subject of a Wednesday session.
By KEITH ROYSDON, The Star Press, kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com
MUNCIE -- With green energy companies taking root in Delaware County, what's the future of the industry in Muncie?
A forum on Wednesday evening will explore "Community Readiness for Alternative Energy."
The forum, set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ball State University Alumni Center, is sponsored by Ball State's Miller College of Business and The Star Press.
"We talk about alternative energy a lot, but I hope this forum will give a perspective on local issues," said Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State. "This is not what's happening in China or Massachusetts, but what's happening in Delaware County and East Central Indiana, what we're doing at the local level to take advantage of what I think, and most analysts think, could be growth in wind energy."
Panelists for the forum are state Sen. Sue Errington (D-Muncie); Terry Murphy of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Roy Budd, executive director of Energize-ECI; and Greg Winkler, director of project development for Brevini Wind.
Brevini Wind, an offshoot of Italian gearbox maker Brevini, has begun construction on a plant to make gearboxes for energy-generating wind turbines at Park One/332 in western Delaware County. Brevini Wind will employ 450 people by 2011.
Park One is also home to VAT, a German company that will make wind-and-solar-powered street lights and vertical wind vanes. VAT will employ more than 100 people by 2011.
Winkler said he hoped Wednesday's forum would see discussion of "what about green energy makes sense at this point, what needs to change, what needs to happen and what policy pieces are in place. It'll be an interesting exploration."
Murphy said he believed the forum would provide insight for the community.
"We need to build on what we already have, but we need to showcase that we're the headquarters for Brevini and VAT. And with VAT, we're already implementing some of that green technology in that we'll be installing wind-and-solar-powered street lights and a vertical vane windmill."
Murphy said he also hoped for community recognition of Ball State's geothermal energy project.
The impact of the alternative energy industry
on Muncie is the subject of a Wednesday session.
By KEITH ROYSDON, The Star Press, kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com
MUNCIE -- With green energy companies taking root in Delaware County, what's the future of the industry in Muncie?
A forum on Wednesday evening will explore "Community Readiness for Alternative Energy."
The forum, set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ball State University Alumni Center, is sponsored by Ball State's Miller College of Business and The Star Press.
"We talk about alternative energy a lot, but I hope this forum will give a perspective on local issues," said Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State. "This is not what's happening in China or Massachusetts, but what's happening in Delaware County and East Central Indiana, what we're doing at the local level to take advantage of what I think, and most analysts think, could be growth in wind energy."
Panelists for the forum are state Sen. Sue Errington (D-Muncie); Terry Murphy of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Roy Budd, executive director of Energize-ECI; and Greg Winkler, director of project development for Brevini Wind.
Brevini Wind, an offshoot of Italian gearbox maker Brevini, has begun construction on a plant to make gearboxes for energy-generating wind turbines at Park One/332 in western Delaware County. Brevini Wind will employ 450 people by 2011.
Park One is also home to VAT, a German company that will make wind-and-solar-powered street lights and vertical wind vanes. VAT will employ more than 100 people by 2011.
Winkler said he hoped Wednesday's forum would see discussion of "what about green energy makes sense at this point, what needs to change, what needs to happen and what policy pieces are in place. It'll be an interesting exploration."
Murphy said he believed the forum would provide insight for the community.
"We need to build on what we already have, but we need to showcase that we're the headquarters for Brevini and VAT. And with VAT, we're already implementing some of that green technology in that we'll be installing wind-and-solar-powered street lights and a vertical vane windmill."
Murphy said he also hoped for community recognition of Ball State's geothermal energy project.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
The following letter to the editor from Eric Cotton appeared in the Muncie Star Press on June 16, 2009, in response to a letter to the editor from Shirley Reese which appeared on June 8, 2009.
Muncie Star Press
June 16, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount
Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.
The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.
As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.
To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.
As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.
Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.
June 8, 2009
Green has a cost
by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma
I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?
Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.
What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?
The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.
The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?
I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.
Muncie Star Press
June 16, 2009
Green energy creates jobs
by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount
Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.
The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.
As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.
To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.
As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.
Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.
June 8, 2009
Green has a cost
by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma
I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?
Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.
What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?
The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.
The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?
I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.
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