Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic

[Astronuc]

Norman R. Augustine, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Chair, Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century
Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
Division on Policy and Global Affairs
The National Academies

before the Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives

October 20, 2005

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimony/Gathering_Storm_Energizing_and_Employing_America2.asp#TopOfPage

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee.

Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you on behalf of the National Academies’ Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century. As you know, our effort was sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine (collectively known as the National Academies). The National Academies were chartered by Congress in 1863 to advise the government on matters of science and technology.

The Academies were requested by Senator Alexander and Senator Jeff Bingaman, members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to conduct an assessment of America’s ability to compete and prosper in the 21st century—and to propose appropriate actions to enhance the likelihood of success in that endeavor. This request was endorsed by Representatives Sherwood Boehlert and Bart Gordon of the House Committee on Science.

To respond to that request the Academies assembled twenty individuals with diverse backgrounds, including university presidents, CEOs, Nobel Laureates and former presidential appointees. The result of our committee’s work was examined by over forty highly qualified reviewers who were also designated by the Academies. In undertaking our assignment we considered the results of a number of prior studies which were conducted on various aspects of America’s future prosperity. We also gathered sixty subject-matter experts with whom we consulted for a weekend here in Washington and who provided recommendations related to their fields of specialty.

It is the unanimous view of our committee that America today faces a serious and intensifying challenge with regard to its future competitiveness and standard of living. Further, we appear to be on a losing path. We are here today hoping both to elevate the nation’s awareness of this developing situation and to propose constructive solutions.

The thrust of our findings is straightforward. The standard of living of Americans in the years ahead will depend to a very large degree on the quality of the jobs that they are able to hold. Without quality jobs our citizens will not have the purchasing power to support the standard of living which they seek, and to which many have become accustomed; tax revenues will not be generated to provide for strong national security and healthcare; and the lack of a vibrant domestic consumer market will provide a disincentive for either U.S. or foreign companies to invest in jobs in America.

What has brought about the current situation? The answer is that the prosperity equation has a new ingredient, an ingredient that some have referred to as “The Death of Distance”. In the last century, breakthroughs in aviation created the opportunity to move people and goods rapidly and efficiently over very great distances. Bill Gates has referred to aviation as the “World Wide Web of the twentieth century”. In the early part of the present century, we are approaching the point where the communication, storage and processing of information are nearly free. That is, we can now move not only physical items efficiently over great distances, we can also transport information in large volumes and at little cost.

What does the US need to do to be competitive and prosperous?

Do you agree or disagree with the testimony?

 

[Skyhunter]

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimony/Gathering_Storm_Energizing_and_Employing_America2.asp#TopOfPage
What does the US need to do to be competitive and prosperous?
Do you agree or disagree with the testimony?

I have not read the whole transcript yet. I agree with their definition of the problems.

Propping up failing corportions with tax dollars is not the way to go however. We need education and R&D. I would rather see the billions given to the oil companies go to universities and alternate energy start ups.

I will ask again.

What would happen to the solar PV industry if we invested $200 billion in just subsidies to make home PV competitive with other sources of energy?

I will finish the transcript now and comment again.

 

[Skyhunter]

This is an excellent suggestion.

• Recruitment of 10,000 new science and math teachers each year through the award of competitive scholarships in math, science and engineering that lead to a bachelor’s degree accompanied by a teaching certificate—and a 5-year commitment to teach in a public school.

This makes a lot of sense as well. Use the best research model available and apply it to the energy problem.

• Creation of an Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E), modeled after DARPA in the Department of Defense, reporting to the Department of Energy Undersecretary for Science. The purpose is to support the conduct of out-of-the-box, transformational, generic, energy research by universities, industry and government laboratories.

I agree with most of it. Still reading.

 

[Astronuc]

Speaking of Solar -

These folks are seriously busy with solar - http://www.solarcraft.com/

Santa Rosa, CA (October 24, 2005) – Fountaingrove Athletic Club announced today that it has completed installation a new solar heating system for The Athletic Club’s 135,000-gallon, 4,500 square-foot pool. It is the largest solar heated pool in Santa Rosa. The new solar heating system maintains an average water temperature of 80 degrees, will save the athletic club thousands of dollars annually and eliminate hundreds of tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The Solar Water Heating System consists of 75 high efficency FAFCO Revolution solar panels. The 3,600 square-feet of solar heat exchangers are mounted on hillside, ground-mounted racks and connected to the existing pool filtration system. An automatic temperature control system ensures that the natural gas-powered heater is in use only when needed to keep the pool temperature at 80 degrees. “It’s working well,” says Athletic Club Director, Darren Howey. “In fact, our pool has been operating at a constant 80 degrees Fahrenheit since the new system went operational in mid-August. We have used the gas water heater on an extremely limited basis.” The new system, installed by SolarCraft Services of Novato, enables Fountaingrove Athletic Club to eliminate the use of over 2 million cubic feet of Natural Gas per year and reduce emissions of 124 tons of greenhouse gases.

And -

http://www.everything-science.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=165&Itemid=1

Those crazy Californians!

 

[SOS2008]

Norman R. Augustine, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Chair, Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century
Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
Division on Policy and Global Affairs
The National Academies
before the Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives
October 20, 2005
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimony/Gathering_Storm_Energizing_and_Employing_America2.asp#TopOfPage
What does the US need to do to be competitive and prosperous?
Do you agree or disagree with the testimony?

Great post, and likewise I'll need to take time to read in entirety...

 

[Skyhunter]

I agree with most of their assessments and recommendations.
It will be interesting to see if Congress and the Administration act on these recommendations. Since there was emphasis placed on Texas models, and Bush is so easily manipulated, I have high hopes.