Incentives Stimulate Green Investments

Sustainable technologies received a boost in 2009 thanks to new financial incentives included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Though at year’s end the United States didn’t see the massive boost of green jobs many had hoped for, the incentives did spur millions of Americans to reinsulated homes, install solar panels, and build new homes more energy efficient.

Corporations looked to wind farms and solar power as viable investments as they never had before, and American thinking about what is achievable with alternative energy was turned on its head. In April, Gary Jones interviewed one man who built a zero-energy house on the peninsula about the new incentives for the Pulse.

Pundits and politicians debate the efficacy of bailing out banks, Wall Street, and the auto industry. “Too much!” “Too little!” they shout. “No choice!” “Won’t work!” the debate continues. But nearly everyone recognizes the value of those provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February that encourage the development of clean, efficient energy and reduce American dependence on oil imports.

Some of those items can strike pleasantly close to home. Guy Fortin of Community Wind Energy LLC (CWE) is one of those who endorse the green aspects of the act. The goal of the organization is to secure local financing for wind turbines that will not only provide a source of renewable energy, but will also produce profits from energy sell-backs that can be used to make public buildings more self-sustaining; perhaps putting thermal collectors on the YMCA to heat the pool, for example.

“Now more than any time in the recent past, the combination of federal government, state utility rate payer incentives and utility buy-in tariff incentives are economically encouraging the use of renewable energy,” Fortin said.