February 2009

Obama's call to action

Every time President Obama delivers a major speech energy is front and center. Tuesday's Congressional address was no exception. His words:

"Now is the time to act boldly and wisely, to not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity.

Now is the time to jump-start job creation, re-start lending, and invest in areas like energy, health care, and education that will grow our economy."

Obama later detailed his plans for energy, stating:

"Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We have also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history – an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine, science, and technology.

But to truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America."

Take a close look at that language. Obama specifically calls for a US cap and trade system and pledges to invest $15 billion a YEAR in new clean tech technologies. Quite a committment.

To deliver on this committment, the entire cleantech eco-system--entrepreneurs, scientists, big energy, bankers, VCs, lawyers, cleantech PR professionals--needs to mobilize. One upcoming event here in Boston moving cleantech innovation forward is the AlwaysOn GoingGreen show (full disclosure, Schwartz is a sponsor). GoingGreen matches up entrepreneurs with the business eco-system (VCs, bankers, lawyers) they need to make their science reality.

Posted by Mike Farber on February 26, 2009 at 6:41 AM
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Wattbot Selected as a LaunchPad10 Company at Earth2Tech's Green:Net

Moving out of stealth mode in late 2008, Diane Loviglio and Kurt Brown's green consumer Web site Wattbot has been selected as an Earth2Tech Green:Net LaunchPad company, welcomed to debut their innovative ideas at the Green:Net conference in San Francisco on March 24. The LaunchPad10 also includes the green, early-stage companies Visible Energy, PacketPower, FarmsReach, dot U, GreenWizard, Adaptive Meter, OneDidIt.com, The Almanac and BLDG 2.0.

I recently lunched with Loviglio to discuss Wattbot's private beta, enabling a tool that Earth2Tech's Katie Fehrenbacher describes as "a sort of middle man for interested consumers and energy providers...a smart use of Web 2.0 and clean power."

Loviglio, VP of Business Development, told me she's more focused on Wattbot's private beta customers than anything else these days, as these are the early users whose opinions will shape the forthcoming launch. Starting with the four major metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and New York City, Wattbot invites homeowners to sign up online and determine the renewable energy option(s) that are ideal for their home. 

"It's highly personal and customized," Loviglio says. "We can't tell you anything until you put in your zip code and get started. From there, Wattbot is your unbiased source and educational tool. We'll show you everything you need to get going."

Starting with the most accessible and available home technologies, Wattbot creates personalized recommendations for each user, determining if rooftop photovoltaics, solar hot water (aka solar thermal), solar pool heating or appliance updates (such as washer, dryer or refrigerator upgrades) can give them the biggest bang for their buck when it comes to energy efficiency and monthly savings on the utility bill.

With more than 100 solar installers and other vendors participating in its private beta, Wattbot can provide a myriad of options for the curious homeowner, yet Loviglio told me that being a trustworthy source to the user remains a core element of the company's value proposition.

"We'll let you know on your recommendations page if there isn't a good option for your home at this time, which could be dependent on anything from local incentives to specifics of the home. Wattbot will contact you when an ideal energy saving technology becomes available for your home."

Wattbot has hundreds of homeowners in its private beta and stay tuned for its public launch. For addition background, visit Earth2Tech's coverage of Wattbott.

Posted by Whitney Phaneuf on February 24, 2009 at 11:43 PM
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Best Source for the Science

Yep, we here at Renewablog have our geek side. Spent part of my long weekend poring over a couple of old copies of the MIT Technology Review. They certainly know how to fuse clean tech science and business viability in a reader-friendly way.

My favorite recent piece is the February cover on the "smart" grid. Actual reporting (site visit to GE Global Labs in NY) and killer graphics showing how the current grid is set up backwards for solar and wind (big pipes by thirsty urban centers, small pipes in the solar Southwest and windy Great Plains) make it a must read.

I now have another set of tweets to follow...

Posted by Mike Farber on February 17, 2009 at 10:29 AM
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Stimulus Bill Copy Available Online

The House and Senate are expected to vote today on the compromise stimulus bill.

Late last night, the House of Representatives made available the final text of the bill, and it can be retrieved online. You need to navigate to H.R. 1 (House Resolution 1). Remember that the full title of the bill is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The bill is over 1400 pages long (including provisions that have been struck).

Posted by Ross Levanto on February 13, 2009 at 9:55 AM
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All Eyes on Stimulus Package

I think everyone would agree with me that regardless of whether you support the stimulus package or are against it, any sort of resolution is welcome so we can stop hearing about the different machinations of the bill.

In any event, lots of stimulus-related talk today:

The NY Times says Tech will get a big boost, including high-speed connectivity ($7 billion), digitizing of health records ($20 billion for EMRs) and smart grid support ($20 billion). This definitely creates a large public affairs opportunity for relevant companies.

CNN says that the price tag has dropped below $800 billion and that an agreement could come today. Time is tight with Obama wanting the bill on his desk by Monday.

The Senate version is being applauded by AWEA for its support of the wind market.

It will be interesting from a Public Affairs standpoint to see how the funds are allocated. A chunk will definitely go to the states, while agencies will have budget for "shovel-ready" projects.

Even if signed next week, expect the stimulus to be a major focus of upcoming cleantech events, including the upcoming AlwaysOn GoingGreen conference in Boston.

Posted by Jason Morris on February 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM
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L.A. Times: A Look at Senate Stimulus Bill

An L.A. Times story today gives a general review of the stimulus package that has been proposed for debate in the Senate.

The story notes the package, "includes $325 billion in tax breaks and $560 billion in direct spending to spur the economy by putting more money in the hands of consumers, encouraging businesses to save or create jobs, and funding infrastructure projects to boost employment."

Senators are proposing specific amendments to beef up parts of the bill that they believe will actually create jobs, such as spending on infrastructure road and water projects, while removing certain costs for programs that Senators argue will not create jobs, such as a program to encourage citizens to quit smoking.

There are no specifics in the article regarding spending on cleantech or greentech projects.

Bibliography: "Senate Launches Economic Stimulus Debate," by Janet Hook and Mark Reynolds; Los Angeles Times; February 3, 2009; [From Electronic Version].

Posted by Ross Levanto on February 3, 2009 at 7:56 AM
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