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McCook Gazette
Opinion

Renewing the economy through renewable energy

Monday, March 2, 2009
Sen. Ben Nelson

WASHINGTON -- There are more than 7 million flex fuel vehicles on the nation's roads today. Problem is, there are only 1,985 pumps capable of dispensing E-85 to those 7 million vehicles. It is in the best interests of top ethanol producing states like Nebraska to get more E-85 pumps around the country.

The stimulus package, officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has a provision sure to increase the number of E -85 pumps by increasing the tax credit to cover half the cost for service stations to install them.

This means jobs now building and installing the infrastructure, while improving the future of this clean, renewable energy which also helps Nebraska's economy as the second largest ethanol producing state in the nation.

The stimulus package will invest billions in renewable energy, energy efficiency and green transportation projects that provide jobs now and help secure America's energy security for the future. Because of Nebraska's potential in the field of green energy, the stimulus is especially good for our state.

The stimulus plan directs millions of dollars to Nebraska's State Energy Office that can be directed toward emerging renewable energy technologies they are pursuing.

Nebraska: 6th Windiest

The Nebraska Energy Department says our state has a potential wind energy capacity ranked 6th in the nation with an estimated production of 99,100 megawatts. 1 megawatt is enough to provide clean electricity to as many as 300 homes a year.

Tax incentives to install wind turbines will create thousands of jobs while providing farmers and ranchers with income improving the rural economy.

Building a bigger, better, smart transmission grid to deliver electricity generated from wind on the plains to big cities on the coast will provide additional jobs now while setting the stage for a modern energy era that is good for the country and good for the environment.

Next Generation of Biofuels

The stimulus package will greatly increase the amount of renewable fuels coming from states like Nebraska which is already a leader in this area. It will help speed the development of next-generation cellulosic ethanol that promises significant job creation as well as considerable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for each additional one billion gallons of ethanol production that is brought on-line, as many as 20,000 new jobs could be created.

Broadening Broadband in Rural Nebraska

Clean energy provisions in the stimulus package are definitely a plus for rural states like Nebraska which is why the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union are pleased with it.

They understand that in addition to renewable energy the new law will help expand the use of broadband coverage to rural areas which helps education, health care and allows farmers and ranchers to take advantage of technology so they can remain profitable.

Nebraska's Share: More than $1 Billion

23,000 Nebraska jobs will be created or saved in the $1.1 billion our state will receive in the stimulus plan including millions for clean energy and infrastructure projects that will create jobs today while paving the way for a promising tomorrow for those of us in rural America.

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  • There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources.Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The cost of fuel effects every facet of consumer goods from production to shipping costs. After a brief reprieve gas is inching back up.OPEC will continue to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel.If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trainsthe amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.There is a really good new book out by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

    -- Posted by beyondgreen on Mon, Mar 2, 2009, at 11:54 AM

  • 'World-wide Green New Deal' will be the solution as it will create jobs for economic activity, and lay foundation for the 21st century energy base as a way of stable, continuous economic growth and prosperity, and the global market is intertwined, above all, the U.S. need to devote its entire efforts to the domestic concerns, there is no room for the other matters such as its extended wasteful, destructive war which has stirred up this headache, I think.

    -- Posted by hsr0601 on Mon, Mar 2, 2009, at 12:37 PM

  • The greatest value in the renewable energy field whether it is ethanol, wind energy, electrical, or any bio energy is the fact that it is renewable. We are dependant on foreign energy at this point, and at some point the supply of fossil fuel will run thin or run out, where will we be then. There are people out there right now that are trying to stomp out the effort to produce more renewable energy for reasons that make no sense at all. The renewable fuel that we have now will not be the answer we will need later, but they are the first step to the correct answer.

    -- Posted by seentoomuch on Tue, Mar 3, 2009, at 5:18 PM
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