Alternative Energy

Paul Magness of the department of parks and recreation and Bill McKean of the department of public works' capital projects division have earned green stars for this quarter for their integration of alternative energy into the roof replacement design at the barn at the Harford County Equestrian Center. The county government announced the recognition for the two veteran employees last week. In total, five solar powered roof ventilation fans were installed as part of the equestrian barn roof replacement.

If Michale Barr ("Let market decide when wind blows," Feb. 7) is correct that technologies succeed only when the free market aligns to demand and finance them, then we have wasted billions on the development of such crackpot schemes as aviation, satellite communications, hydro-power, interstate highways, nuclear energy, global positioning and, perhaps the biggest government boondoggle of all time, the Internet. The government led all of these efforts when all the market demanded was faster horses, better steam locomotives and more whale oil. By positioning Maryland as a frontrunner in developing clean, alternative energy sources, Gov.Martin O'Malleyis asking us to create an state where future generations have the infrastructure needed to prosper.

BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio - Campaigning for the top priority of his presidency, Barack Obama pitched his economic recovery plan yesterday by using an old-economy plant now finding new business in alternative energy. Obama's stop at Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co. came the day before he starts a weekend of activities - including his train trip from Philadelphia to Washington - leading up to his inauguration Tuesday as the 44th president. Ahead of all the partying, Obama sought to show he is in touch with the economic plight of Americans, as he pushed his plan for more than $800 billion in new spending and tax cuts.

There are three things Marylanders should know about global climate change: 1) The threat is real. 2) Time is of the essence. 3) We can do something about it. It will be important to keep those core principles in mind this month as the House Energy and Commerce Committee begins marking up the American Clean Energy and Security Act, legislation that could finally commit the nation to an energy strategy that will address global warming. That's because the debate in Congress is likely to devolve into something depressingly familiar, a mindless partisan squabble over taxes versus green jobs.

Municipal Mortgage & Equity (MuniMae) announced yesterday the acquisition of a small California company that arranges financing for and operates solar and other renewable power plants, a marked departure for the Baltimore real estate financier. By purchasing Renewable Ventures LLC of San Francisco, MuniMae hopes to capitalize on growing demand for alternative energy sources and tax credits extended under last year's broad federal energy legislation. Company officials declined to say how much MuniMae paid for the Renewable Ventures in a deal that closed Monday night, but the consideration includes an upfront amount as well as future payments that depend on the performance of the business.

In response to "Sustainability saves money" on Oct. 21, it seems the military has recently come to a similar realization about the practicality of sustainability. Last Friday, a Navy assault ship made the service's first bio-fuel powered voyage. The test was part of a larger Navy effort to create what it calls a great green fleet. The success comes only a few weeks after the deployment of an environmentally friendly Marine company in Afghanistan, the launch of a hybrid warship and a strong commitment by the Air Force to use bio-fuel.

Green investing is no longer just for those who celebrate Earth Day. Decades of talk about alternative fuels and green technologies has turned energy independence into a national priority. The investment category that focuses on the environment and alternative-energy sources has earned a position in the mainstream financial world. Some shares have been in a slump during the oil price decline over the past several months and have historically moved with that indicator. Even though oil is primarily used for transportation while most alternative energy is for electricity and heat generation, the two are intertwined in the public consciousness.

Do more to promote Md.'s green economy The editorial "Making Maryland green" (Nov. 2) is correct in calling for aggressively promoting alternative energy. But I would suggest that the state needs to do much more. The editorial mentions, in passing, that the recent $700 billion federal financial rescue package included an additional $150 billion in tax breaks and incentives. Included among the tax provisions are an estimated $18 billion in tax credits for innovating clean power and energy-efficiency systems and conservation, including everything from extending the all-important energy-efficient commercial building deduction to creating a tax credit for electricity created by waves, tides or ocean currents.

NORFOLK, Va. -- Across the country, politicians and ordinary citizens want to lower taxes on gasoline to ease pain at the pump. This idea is tempting, but it is precisely wrong: There is no better time to raise the national gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon than now, if done correctly. I have a plan. Each day, the world uses about 84 million barrels of oil. The United States uses one-fourth of that, yet has one-twentieth of the world's population. Using oil worsens global warming, supports oil-rich autocrats, funds terrorism and makes America more inclined to be stuck in the Persian Gulf.

Light breezes and low elevations make Baltimore County uninviting territory for big wind farms, but the terrain could be more promising for residents hoping to trim electric bills and their "carbon footprint" with a home turbine. The outlook could hinge on deliberations going on now, as the county revises the zoning code to cover such projects. Meanwhile, one homeowner's plan for the county's first electricity-generating wind turbine remains on hold as neighbors who say they support alternative energy have lined up against it. "We know this is coming," said Barry Antonelli, who has permission to put up a 120-foot turbine on his 97-acre farm in the Phoenix area, but is awaiting resolution of his neighbors' appeal, which in turn depends on how the new regulations take shape.