by: Rianna Das
Ascent Solar is an example of a company that is, not only abiding by the limits of carbon dioxide, but also providing other companies with products that will help them to lower their emissions of carbon dioxide. Ascent solar is an example of the trend of alternative energy. With issues, such as the worry of peak oil production, alternative energy is a must for the world. This trend has encouraged companies to develop sustainable energy, such as solar powered energy, illustrated by the company, Ascent Solar, or other types of alternative energy, such as wind powered energy or hydropower. Sustainable energy means energy that does not negatively impact our environment. With the worries of global warming, companies must search for renewable energy that can eventually completely replace coal and oil before coal and oil run out.
This development of alternative energy has also encouraged companies that produce non-renewable types of energy to go "green." In other words, these companies must reduce their impact on the environment in order for their product to compete with alternative energy products. For example, BP has invested eight billion dollars in renewable energy research and Chevron has spend over 3 billion dollars in this same type of research (frost.com). This trend has also increased government regulation on oil and coal companies. For instance, mountain removal is a very common method of coal mining, which involves removing the entire mountain above a coal mine and then mining the coal. While this method is very effective (providing about 10% of the United States' coal), it is very detrimental to the environment. The Obama administration passed legislation in April of 2010 that will sharply curtail mountain mining and its effects (washingtonpost.com). While this will greatly help the environment affected by mountaintop removal, it will have a very negative impact on the economy nears the mountains, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, as it will destroy many jobs and removal the main industry for many towns (washingtonpost.com).
This development of alternative energy has also encouraged companies that produce non-renewable types of energy to go "green." In other words, these companies must reduce their impact on the environment in order for their product to compete with alternative energy products. For example, BP has invested eight billion dollars in renewable energy research and Chevron has spend over 3 billion dollars in this same type of research (frost.com). This trend has also increased government regulation on oil and coal companies. For instance, mountain removal is a very common method of coal mining, which involves removing the entire mountain above a coal mine and then mining the coal. While this method is very effective (providing about 10% of the United States' coal), it is very detrimental to the environment. The Obama administration passed legislation in April of 2010 that will sharply curtail mountain mining and its effects (washingtonpost.com). While this will greatly help the environment affected by mountaintop removal, it will have a very negative impact on the economy nears the mountains, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, as it will destroy many jobs and removal the main industry for many towns (washingtonpost.com).
Nice blog Rianna. I was just wondering if there is any economic incentives to follow solar power? I understand a bill was passed last year for 2.3 billion dollars to give incentive to the 'green movement' energy production.
ReplyDeleteHow much may they have been able to require under the new regulations? Great article it really shows how new alternative energy companies are beginning to rise.
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