Clean Energy

Torture is regrettable but necessary in today's world I'm tired of the absolute denial that I find many of my fellow Americans living in ("Torture is un-American," Aug. 25). No one is happy about torture or its use. Nor is anyone happy about war, and acts of terrorism. They are, however, a reality. One we must be prepared to handle. I believe in the United States of America and its Constitution. I believe that throughout our nation's history there have been regrettable instances, moments where we took a collective view of ourselves in a social mirror and didn't like what we saw. Slavery, Manifest Destiny, denial of civil rights - all were regrettable.

Baltimore commuters have a big stake in the fate of the American Clean Energy Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, which passed the U.S. House in June and heads to the Senate this fall. This landmark legislation is the first attempt of the federal government to drive the United States to a clean-energy economy with lower greenhouse gas emissions, more jobs in new clean energy industries and less dependence on uncertain oil supplies. It will lead to important new investments in energy efficiency to save consumers money, and new forms of generating clean electricity, such as solar and wind.

Rep. John Sarbanes and environmental and labor advocates joined Friday to promote so-called "clean-energy" initiatives from which Maryland could benefit under President Barack Obama's proposed budget for next year. One initiative, which requires polluting businesses to pay cleanup fees, could bring in as much as $1 billion a year over the next 10 years in Maryland, according to a report on Obama's budget released Friday by Environment Maryland, a nonprofit advocacy group. Sarbanes, a Democrat from the state's 3rd District, said he was optimistic that Obama's plans for developing renewable energy and focusing on environmental sustainability could generate millions of jobs across the country.

Rep. Frank M. Kratovil Jr. joined a panel of representatives from environmental organizations last week to discuss a shift toward clean energy, which he said could expand the job market and stimulate the economy. About 100 residents gathered at Broadneck High School in Annapolis Wednesday night for a town hall meeting in which they questioned Kratovil, along with clean energy experts, about the benefits of switching to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. "Our region is filled with men and women who are dedicated to finding new technologies that promote environmental health," said Kratovil, a District 1 Democrat.

WASHINGTON -President Barack Obama's plans to lead America from recession rest in part on a task bigger than a moon shot and the Manhattan Project, as complicated as any feat of economic engineering in the nation's history. His goal, which past presidents have spent more than $100 billion chasing with limited success, is to replace imported oil and other fossil fuels with a so-called "clean energy economy" powered by the wind, the sun and bio-fuels. The stakes are high. If Obama succeeds, he could spark a domestic jobs boom and lead an international fight against climate change.

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration plans to push ahead with plans to aggressively limit greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming despite fears that the move could further slow the recessionary economy. Instead of backing away, the administration plans to portray the limits as a boost for America's "clean energy economy," according to congressional leaders and energy experts who have talked with top Obama advisers. The move would spur competitiveness and promote investment in renewable alternatives to imported oil, the government will argue.

With the recession deepening and numerous other world crises brewing, President-elect Barack Obama may be tempted to postpone any action on global warming until after his first year in office. This would be a huge mistake for a host of reasons, but most particularly because time is running out for mankind to take the needed actions to thwart the most disastrous effects of climate change. The planet is not merely approaching a perilous situation when it comes to the effects of man-made greenhouse gases; that day has already arrived.

Hard times also add to abuse of children As David Kohn's article "Hard times mean more abuse" (Dec. 14) suggested, the stress of economic downturns can be played out in more conflict between domestic partners. The stability of a marriage and a family functioning are often thrown into crisis as a result of a loss of job, income or even a foreclosure. But the article did not address the related issue of child abuse. Children are often the targets of the frustration and stress of the parents.

With unemployment rising and stock prices fluctuating, many Americans are taking comfort in one piece of good economic news. Gas prices have dropped to between $2 and $3 a gallon from their $4.11 high in July. But cheaper gas may not be in the country's long-term best interests if Americans respond to lower prices by abandoning their new economizing habits and returning to their guzzling. It's vitally important for the next president and Congress to keep the nation moving aggressively toward an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly future despite the availability of cheap oil. This year, high pump prices convinced most consumers that this country could no longer afford to remain dependent on expensive foreign oil. Many drivers turned to smaller, more fuel-efficient hybrid and electric cars and helped spur investments in clean and efficient energy industries.