ELPC’s Howard Learner on the Clean Energy Race: Why Is China Ahead of the U.S.?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A recent story by ABC News paints a troubling picture: the United States is falling behind other countries–particularly China–when it comes to the expansion and implementation of solar technologies.
A growing solar technology start-up based in Red Bank, N.J., holds the license to technology that makes solar panels cheaper, more efficient and less toxic to the environment. When the company tried to commercialize the technology domestically, they found themselves caught in red tape stalled talks with state and federal officials–on the other hand, conversations with Chinese officials sped ahead.
“The Chinese have a major, aggressive movement to increase the technology in the photovoltaic area,” the company’s president said. “They picked up the phone and called us and said, ‘What do you do?’”
Since 2005, investments in the clean energy sector have grown 230 percent, according to the Pew Environment Group Climate and Energy Program. In 2009, $162 billion was invested in clean energy globally and analysts forecast that investments will climb 25 percent to $200 billion in 2010.
But despite the opportunities in the fast-growing industry, experts say the United States continues to lag behind countries such as China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.
“The U.S. is missing the boat,” said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group Climate and Energy Program in Washington. In 2009, she said, China attracted $34.6 billion in clean energy investments, more than any other country. The United States attracted $18.6 billion, about half of China’s total, she said.
ELPC’s President and Executive Director Howard Learner agrees. “The clean technology sector is the fastest growing business sector in the global economy and the U.S. cannot afford to lose our competitive edge with China and other countries when it comes to the fastest growing sector in the global economy,” he said.
“Clean energy and climate legislation before Congress would put us on the right track, but it’s been mired in both Republican political opposition and opposition from old economy industries,” he said.
While 30 states have renewable energy standards requiring utilities to purchase an increased percentage of power from renewable sources, Learner, like Pew’s Cuttino, said a national standard is critical.
