$5 a gallon? It's not coming fast enough. And I wouldn't be opposed to a bit of a government push on that matter. Let's say an extra 10 cents/gallon tax (28.4 cents/gallon instead of 18.4 cents/gallon?)
According to John Hofmeister, the former president of Shell Oil, it's highly likely that gasoline prices at the pump will hit $5 per gallon in the summer of 2012, essentially because of the continuing growth of the Chinese and Indian economies, and a probable American continued recovery in 2011.
The immediate effect on the economy would be increase sales of hybrid and electric cars, decrease sales of gas-guzzling SUVs, and a steady creation of green jobs! Use the additional gasoline tax revenue to increase energy efficiency project tax breaks, and we'll see even more of a boom in the residential solar and wind industries.
With the current US gasoline consumption at about 9 million barrels a day, an additional tax of 10 cents per gallon is an extra $1.1 billion a month of revenue that could be used directly to subsidize hybrid car purchases, or solar or wind residential installations. At $5,000 per household, that's about 220,000 households per month who would benefit.
So given that kind of huge economic benefit, what's an extra 10 cents per gallon when the price is going to go from $3 to $5 per gallon?
Call me crazy, but I think it's a good thing. The faster we reduce the consumption of fossil fuels (especially the imported kind), the better for the environment, the economy, and the security of this country. Many people won't be happy, but they'll agree that it's a necessity and it'll help up convert faster to a green economy and energy independence.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
With newfound confidence and IPO dollars, GM hires 1,000 for EV division
GM announced on Nov. 30 that it's hiring 1,000 engineers and researchers over the next couple of years for its electric vehicle division. When was the last time GM announced the creation of high-paying jobs?
This time around, GM is very optimistic, and full of new found confidence. With billions of dollars from a recent IPO, and a single order for 12,000 Chevy Volts from GE, who wouldn't be?
Today's GM is a far cry from the GM of 2 years ago, having done a complete U turn from gas guzzlers to plug-in electric hybrids. It took awhile, but finally it seems that GM is giving itself a chance to grab back its competitive edge, and the #1 position from Toyota.
“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."
"Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible electric vehicle choices to customers around the world," Akerson said.
The 1,000 engineering and researh jobs represent a big commitment to EVs on GM's part. At an estimated $100,000 per year per job, it's $100 million a year that GM will spend on these new green jobs. GM has already spent $700 million building the manufacturing infrastructure for the Volt, and is also investing over $400 million in advanced battery technology and powertrain development.
In addition to GM’s investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.
“The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. “As we work to diversify our state’s economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing.”
Read the full text of the GM press release on the Green Job Bank.
This time around, GM is very optimistic, and full of new found confidence. With billions of dollars from a recent IPO, and a single order for 12,000 Chevy Volts from GE, who wouldn't be?
Today's GM is a far cry from the GM of 2 years ago, having done a complete U turn from gas guzzlers to plug-in electric hybrids. It took awhile, but finally it seems that GM is giving itself a chance to grab back its competitive edge, and the #1 position from Toyota.
“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."
"Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible electric vehicle choices to customers around the world," Akerson said.
The 1,000 engineering and researh jobs represent a big commitment to EVs on GM's part. At an estimated $100,000 per year per job, it's $100 million a year that GM will spend on these new green jobs. GM has already spent $700 million building the manufacturing infrastructure for the Volt, and is also investing over $400 million in advanced battery technology and powertrain development.
In addition to GM’s investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.
“The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. “As we work to diversify our state’s economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing.”
Read the full text of the GM press release on the Green Job Bank.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
BrightHome Energy Solutions Joins "Green Jobs - Green NY" Program
BrightHome Energy Solutions today announced its participation in the new Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY) program that provides free energy audits and low interest financing to New York homeowners seeking energy efficiency improvements.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program was passed into law in October 2009. It provides New Yorker with access to free and low-cost energy audits, installation services, low-cost financing (currently for residential customers only), and pathways to training for various green-collar careers. The program's goal was to create 14,000 green jobs in retrofit contracting, and another 14,000 indirect jobs in related services. The program is financed through a $112 million fund.
“BrightHome is excited to offer homeowners free energy audits and interest rates as low as 3.49% creating an affordable way to lower their heating bills and be more comfortable,” said Mike Brown of BrightHome Energy Solutions. “We encourage homeowners to take advantage of this opportunity now for maximum savings this winter.”
Free energy audits by BrightHome through GJGNY are available to residential applicants with household incomes less than $209,000. Reduced-cost energy audits will be available to homeowners with incomes up to $418,000.
It is not clear how many of the 28,000 jobs have already been created. The first annual report of the program is silent on the job creation results, but what is clear is that BrightHome Energy Solutions is not hiring. Their website lists 4 open positions posted months ago, in June 2010.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program was passed into law in October 2009. It provides New Yorker with access to free and low-cost energy audits, installation services, low-cost financing (currently for residential customers only), and pathways to training for various green-collar careers. The program's goal was to create 14,000 green jobs in retrofit contracting, and another 14,000 indirect jobs in related services. The program is financed through a $112 million fund.
“BrightHome is excited to offer homeowners free energy audits and interest rates as low as 3.49% creating an affordable way to lower their heating bills and be more comfortable,” said Mike Brown of BrightHome Energy Solutions. “We encourage homeowners to take advantage of this opportunity now for maximum savings this winter.”
Free energy audits by BrightHome through GJGNY are available to residential applicants with household incomes less than $209,000. Reduced-cost energy audits will be available to homeowners with incomes up to $418,000.
It is not clear how many of the 28,000 jobs have already been created. The first annual report of the program is silent on the job creation results, but what is clear is that BrightHome Energy Solutions is not hiring. Their website lists 4 open positions posted months ago, in June 2010.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Monday, November 15, 2010
GE makes GM's day
GE just announced that it will purchase 25,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015. The first 12,000 of these will be GM Volts. Other manufacturers will be included in the purchase as their products become available. At an average of $40,000 or more per vehicle, that's at least a $100 million purchase.
“Electric vehicle technology is real and ready for deployment and we are embracing the transformation with partners like GM and our fleet customers,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.
GE will also benefit from its own purchase, which will accelerate the deployment of GE's charging stations, and many other GE products used in EVs' manufacturing and operations. Some experts estimate that the EV purchase could pump back $500 million into GE's revenue in the next 3 years.
“We make technology that touches every point of the electric vehicle infrastructure and are leading the transformation to a smarter electrical grid,” Immelt said. “This transformation will be good for our businesses and for our shareowners. Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”
GM CEO Dan Akerson said, “GE’s commitment reflects confidence that electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil. It is also a vote of confidence in the Chevrolet Volt, which we will begin delivering to retail customers by the end of this year. We are pleased that the Volt will play a major role in this program, which will spur innovation and benefit our companies, our customers, and society as a whole.”
A GM spokesman said the purchase of 12,000 Volts by GE will not affect deliveries to retail customers: "It's between now and 2015, so the volume is manageable."
FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, and Electrification Coalition member Fred Smith said, “With more than 16.3 million vehicles in operation in 2009, the nation’s fleet can drive initial ramp-up scale in the battery industry and OEM supply chains. By buying these vehicles, GE is helping ramp up production which will help lower the price of vehicles and their components and make electric vehicles more visible and acceptable to the public at large. This is good for GE, good for our economy, and good for our nation.”
US-based EV manufacturers that could benefit from GE's commitment include Tesla Motors, Coda Automotive, Aptera, Bright Automotive, and Smith Electric Vehicles. And more indirectly, engine makers Achates Power and EcoMotors, and charging station maker Coulomb Technologies could also benefit.
A great story for the creation of green jobs, and one in which the government is not involved!
“Electric vehicle technology is real and ready for deployment and we are embracing the transformation with partners like GM and our fleet customers,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.
GE will also benefit from its own purchase, which will accelerate the deployment of GE's charging stations, and many other GE products used in EVs' manufacturing and operations. Some experts estimate that the EV purchase could pump back $500 million into GE's revenue in the next 3 years.
“We make technology that touches every point of the electric vehicle infrastructure and are leading the transformation to a smarter electrical grid,” Immelt said. “This transformation will be good for our businesses and for our shareowners. Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”
GM CEO Dan Akerson said, “GE’s commitment reflects confidence that electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil. It is also a vote of confidence in the Chevrolet Volt, which we will begin delivering to retail customers by the end of this year. We are pleased that the Volt will play a major role in this program, which will spur innovation and benefit our companies, our customers, and society as a whole.”
A GM spokesman said the purchase of 12,000 Volts by GE will not affect deliveries to retail customers: "It's between now and 2015, so the volume is manageable."
FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, and Electrification Coalition member Fred Smith said, “With more than 16.3 million vehicles in operation in 2009, the nation’s fleet can drive initial ramp-up scale in the battery industry and OEM supply chains. By buying these vehicles, GE is helping ramp up production which will help lower the price of vehicles and their components and make electric vehicles more visible and acceptable to the public at large. This is good for GE, good for our economy, and good for our nation.”
US-based EV manufacturers that could benefit from GE's commitment include Tesla Motors, Coda Automotive, Aptera, Bright Automotive, and Smith Electric Vehicles. And more indirectly, engine makers Achates Power and EcoMotors, and charging station maker Coulomb Technologies could also benefit.
A great story for the creation of green jobs, and one in which the government is not involved!
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