In the midst of this time of extreme economic turmoil I'm trying to take a long view, and so apparently is Google CEO Eric Schmidt, pictured right. The company has a philanthropic arm (Google.org, natch) that last week revealed a plan to move the United States off fossil fuels and onto renewable energy, for reals. From Grist:
The vision: In 2030, electricity will be generated not from coal or oil but from wind, solar, and geothermal power. Energy demand will be two-thirds what it is now, thanks to stringent energy-efficiency measures. Ninety percent of new vehicle sales will be plug-in hybrids. Carbon dioxide emissions will be down 48 percent. Getting there will cost $4.4 trillion, says the plan -- but will recoup $5.4 trillion in savings. The Clean Energy 2030 plan would require ambitious national policies, a huge boost to renewables, increased transmission capacity, a smart electricity grid, and much higher fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles. But hey, says the report: "With a new administration and Congress -- and multiple energy-related imperatives -- this is an opportune, perhaps unprecedented, moment to move from plan to action."
I like the flavor of their optimism! If anyone can do it, I believe Google can.
