Obama’s focus on visiting clean-tech companies raises questions

[alp227]

Obama’s unwavering focus has helped him fulfill a campaign pledge to push clean tech, from solar energy and wind power to electric vehicles. But it also has come with political exposure: By emphasizing a sector in which the risks are high, the president has prompted questions on Capitol Hill and from industry about the wisdom of his singular strategy and his political ties to some of the companies chosen for federal attention.

The oil and gas industry, for example, has invested billions in energy innovation and job creation and could benefit from similar presidential attention, said Martin J. Durbin, executive vice president of the American Petroleum Institute.

“He’s missing an incredible opportunity he has to join with us to make a difference in economic growth, job creation, national security and clean technology,” Durbin said. “If you went and added up the number of jobs at these clean-tech companies he visited, in all honesty, I think you’re going to find a very modest number of jobs.”

This month, a congressional energy subcommittee chairman accused the administration of picking clean-tech “winners and losers” by pouring government money into a sector best determined by free-market forces.

Full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-focus-on-visiting-clean-tech-companies-raises-questions/2011/06/24/AGSFu9kH_singlePage.html

[Wilms]

1. Solar is "risky"? According to the American Petroleum Institute.

Gee.

[Exilednight]

9. It's not risky at all. What the article should of focused on was the number of jobs that

were created in the solar energy sector. Then it should of asked why all those jobs went to China. China is the worlds largest exporter of solar panels, with wopping total of zero panels being built in the United States.

[moobu2]

2. The oil and gas industry is whining,,Obama must be doing something right

[Pirate Smile]

3. Wash Po got their talking points from the oil industry and recycled it right into an article.

I hope the check cleared.

Here's an idea - get rid of oil subsidies so "market forces" really work.

[Tx4obama]

4. Here's a link to some related info

President Obama Launches Advanced Manufacturing Partnership
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/06/24/president-obama-launches-advanced-manufacturing-partnership

[The Eagle 718]

5. I really hate how republicans are always pushing

this free-market crap.

[Enrique]

8. free market my ass

their love of the free market is as bogus as their love of family values, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional liberties:

Senate GOP Votes Down Bill To End Big Oil Subsidies

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/17/oil-subsidies-senate-gop_n_863308.html

[boppers]

6. Yes, he's picking winners and losers.

Dirty tech lost. End of Game.

Sure, they'll try to re-invent and re-brand themselves (Beyond Petroleum, anyone?), but jobs aren't the only thing at play here. The next 500 years of life are.

[Enrique]

7. the GOP complaining about government money to energy companies?

isn't this the same GOP that voted to keep oil subsidies?