David asks…
Why should green jobs be create when every green job destroys on average 4.8 regular jobs?
A Spanish study concluded that subsidizing renewable energy leads to a loss of 2.2 jobs for every one green job created. The study also found Spain needs to increase the cost of electricity by 31 percent to pay for its deficit, largely caused by renewable energy subsidies. Spain’s unemployment is 19 percent, indicating green job growth is not an effective way to stimulate an economy. A similar study in Italy found each green job displaced 4.8 jobs in the overall economy.
Legislation in Pennsylvania, such as House Bill 80 and House Bill 2405, would dig the hole deeper by mandating that utility companies purchase even more electricity from alternative sources than they are already required.
Alternative energy mandates arbitrarily decide which energy sources are “green.” Clean energy such as nuclear power and natural gas-which have minimal carbon dioxide emissions-do not make the list, while expensive sources like wind and solar do. Such bills replace sustainable energy jobs with jobs that are entirely dependent on taxpayer-funded subsidies, based on who has the best lobbyists.
Additionally, mandates kill jobs by raising electricity prices. States with binding renewable portfolio standards, like Pennsylvania, have electricity rates that are nearly 40 percent higher than states with no mandate. While state electricity costs are affected by other factors, alternative energy mandates necessitate higher energy prices. Pennsylvania’s utility companies predict that HB 80 will add between $9 billion and $12 billion to electricity costs to meet proposed mandates by 2024.
http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/detail/green-jobs-destroy-good-jobs
@stratm663 Who gives a damn about a smaller carbon foot print. Man does not cause global warming anyway
The Expert answers:
When the government gets into picking “winners” and “losers” the consumer can expect to see costs increase.
If ethanol was a viable alternative energy source it wouldn’t need government subsidies.
If wind power was a viable alternative energy source it wouldn’t need government subsidies.
If solar power was a viable alternative energy source it wouldn’t need government subsidies.
If the typewriter industry had had the lobbyists that ethanol, solar and wind have we might still be manufacturing typewriters.
If Packard and Studebaker had had the lobbyists that Chrysler and General Motors had we might still be manufacturing Packards and Studebakers.
If so-called environmentalists really want to reduce their carbon footprint then they should immediately stop buying bottled water. Approximately 50 million barrels of oil are used to meet the demand for unnecessary bottled water in the USA each year. Apparently the self-styled environmentalists are unaware that large diesel-burning trucks are used to haul this unnecessary product from its manufacturing point to its sales point. Not to mention that about 90% of the empty plastic bottles end up strewn alongside our roads and in landfills.
One last example of environmental/governmental folly: Several years ago batteries for cameras and other devices contained mercury. Mercury is a hazardous material which, disposed of improperly, can cause verifiable damage to people once it enters the food chain. So the EPA banned batteries that contained mercury. During Bush’s 2nd. Term the environmentalists lobbied to ban incandescent light bulbs beginning with the 100w bulb in 2012 and with a total ban by 2014. GE has already closed a USA plant manufacturing these banned bulbs, costing over 200 jobs. So what wonderful product have the environmentalists decreed should replace the incandescent bulb? Why the incredible Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL). Unfortunately, there is one minor problem with the CFL – it contains MERCURY! Yes, mercury. The same hazardous material banned in batteries. If you accidentally drop a CFL and it breaks you have a hazardous material spill in your home. A hazardous material spill requires specialized clean up and decontamination. So the government bans mercury in batteries and now mandates that we use a product containing mercury in our homes.
Does anyone really believe that the average person has the knowledge and equipment to deal with this?
Does anyone really believe that every consumer will dispose of burned-out CFLs in an environmentally safe manner?
If you answered “Yes” to those questions I have a really nice bridge for sale along with some ocean front property in Montana.
Jenny asks…
How many schools & hospitals will be closed and manufacturing jobs lost by Obama’s high priced wind power?
Alternative energy is very expensive. Either companies lose money or they need a massive handout from hard working taxpayers.
When Obama and Dems give money to windmills, that money comes from taxpayers and is no longer available for schools, medicare, or medicaid. Obama could mandate that consumers pay the higher prices when they use electricity, but that would force manufacturers that use a lot of electricity/energy to countries like China where energy is cheap.
The Expert answers:
Expensive ta make in the first days of it being there
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Remember these monitors that we now all use the flat ones that are One inch thick
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I got this one for $1.300.00 when it first came out A Samsung SyncMaster 191T
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And today I can buy one for $299.99 at Walmarts or Best Buy
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The same with the new electric making machines when they first hit the store shelves
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In a couple of years they will be nickle and dime things
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And no one will remember when they cost an arm and a leg when they first came out
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Carol asks…
If wind energy power fields are so financially sound;why aren’t more private companies doing it?
I ask because of all the wind energy jobs being advertised. I think it is unfair that the government has, not only an advantage, but the ability to shut down and cap other companies out of existence…..but here are my questions
Why does the government have to ne involved at all?
Will the energy output be worth it (be able to pay for) for the land, construction, workers maintenance and every other cost that is involved.
If it was cost efficient, why didn’t more Private companies do this?
Is ir because the land could be used for much more money-making projects.
If all goes well with this new project, will wind power etc,be a source for money in addition to lessened need for taxes? (that is after the initial costs)
The way I see it, If there s money to be made somehow, someone WILL do it.Why is this not being more taken advantage of.
Main point-
Does this mean that gas/oil will be taxed to the point where they will not be able to stay in competition with government sponsored/paid for alternative energy? It “could” solve one pronlem, but if the goveernment continues these iactics it will essentaially shut dpwn and staganste private growth and the economy as a whole.
It seems to have, and could progress to what could be perceived “fascist”. Government contolling what should be perivate sector jobs and deciding what the country “needs”. Facsism doesn’t just mean warmongering as MANY think. Remember Nazi means – National Socialist Workers Party. Not take ver the world and kill ppl. party.
Just to make it clear. I am not in favor of wind energy, per se’. I am just against the government’s gigantic investments in it and basic “monopoly” of sorts (i used monopoly very loosely). I keep seeing commercials about how over 15,000 (18,000 comes to mind) new plants will be made by the government and need workers.(which is good, except I will be paying them)
Basically, I do not believe the government should be involved, or especially own or controll businesses/ I don’t really care about alternative energy for the most part. I think if anything we should pefect nuclear energy, especially fusion..
That was my point. Not let the gov dictate and epend our money on whatever they feel like. (AND money we don;t have).
The Expert answers:
Yea, sure and when we run out of oil and the whole world goes back to the middle ages, people are going to say “well now, do you think we should try that green energy out?” But then it will be pretty much too late and will be stuck with out electricity and riding bicycles around. Not to mention not have the means to construct one.
Chris asks…
What are some good jobs for recent non-science, liberal arts grads?
I’m very interested in sustainable energy, alternative energy, wind, solar, etc. I want to work somewhere exciting. I’d really like to own my own company but coming up with money to start is tough.
The Expert answers:
I just had to chime in after reading chuckles’ ridiculous, uninspired answer. Does she think that everyone running the company is a scientist? Of course not. They need salespeople, marketing people, SEO experts, and so on, just as most companies of all sorts have.
Let’s talk about salespeople. Most successful companies look at *everyone* as a salesperson. Forget the retail store salesperson stereotype. In the green industry, salespeople are *consultants* who solve problems for their customers.
You’ve picked the right industry. Obama will be focusing a large amount of gov’t resources in this sector.
I hope this helps you.
PaymentKey.com
Sandy asks…
Help deciding on a major? Chemistry and green jobs?
I was thinking of majoring in Biochemistry, and while I would really like to work in a lab, I also would like to work with the natural world.
Is there any chance of getting a “green” job with a Biochem/Chemistry degree?
And
What is the largest market for green jobs? Is it sustainable farming, alternative energy or what?
Thanks.
The Expert answers:
There is a big chance of getting a job in the green sector. Chemists are going to be need to develop sustainable chemicals and methods for producing them. The alternative energy sector is booming my Brother is a chemical engineer and is currently working in a team to build a biodiesel production plant which uses algae as a feedstock. My brother has been a chemical engineer for 10 years and has worked in green related jobs the whole time. You were thinking of majoring in biochemistry the next generation of bio fuels are expected to be made directly from bacteria and other living organisms. Biochemistry or chemistry will also get you into jobs in pharmaceuticals and numerous other industries.
You will have no problem getting a green job and from my research the largest market will be production of bio fuels.
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