Boy! If I had a nickle for every time I pondered whether I should go into goat farming or renewable energy, I’d have … one nickle more than I do now. Why ponder such a thing? Good question. The dilemma was raised by a gentleman named Jim on Renewable Energy World. He put this question to the site’s editors:

I have not seen an analysis of what President Obama really plans to do for renewable energy. I would like to know. I had hoped to work on one renewable energy project before I retired to goat farming. So far it looks like goat farming will get here first. How much does he plan to put on the table and in what time frame? I am particularly interested in solar.

– Jim T., Texas and Arkansas

 The good folks at Renewable Energy World were good enough to provide Jim with such a detailed answer that I thought it deserved some attention here. I’ve posted an excerpt below. Please go read the full article. But before you do that…ponder this: Why choose betwen renewable energy AND goat farming when the installation of a methane digester will let you have both!

Jim, Do not go to the goat farm yet — the world is changing right before our very eyes! Clean energy continues to be a major focus of President Obama and was mentioned in the President’s message before a joint session of Congress in late February. Ken Bossong of the Sustainable Energy Coalition captured these three quotes:

….”We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy, yet we import more oil today than ever before.

….Over the next two years, this [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90 percent of these jobs will be in the private sector, jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges, constructing wind turbines and solar panels, laying broadband and expanding mass transit.

….That is why, even as it cuts back on programs we don’t need, the [Fiscal Year 2010] budget I submit will invest in the three areas that are absolutely critical to our economic future: energy, health care and education.”

[…]

Department of Energy: $27 billion, $2.5 billion above 2008 to build on efforts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Package to conserve and produce clean, efficient, American energy.  Specifically:

• Solar Energy: $175 million for research, development and demonstration projects to make solar energy more affordable.
• Biofuels: $217 million for grants to improve production of alternative fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.
• Vehicle Technology: $273 million to collaborate with industry to improve fuel efficiency with better
  batteries and engines that burn clean fuel.
• Energy Efficient Buildings: $140 million to research conservation technologies for buildings and industry to reduce energy demand.
• Industrial Technologies: $90 million to help businesses improve energy efficiency.
• Water Power: $40 million to research new ways of generating power from flowing water.
• Weatherization Grants: $200 million for insulation and energy conservation measures to reduce utility bills for low-income families.
• Innovative Technology Loan Guarantees: Extends loan guarantee authority for Innovative Technology, and includes $18.5 billion in loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Read the full article here.

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