What Oregon should be doing - as a minimum

I have been trying to get Oregon to realize that its future as a "Clean Energy State" - that can become a net-exporter of renewable energy technologies - has everything to do with it's investment (via venture-style funds) into clean-tech. We have a number of energy venture funds, incubators and accelerators that could put these funds to good use. (List, below.)

By creating a $36 million fund of funds, Florida has figured it out. Perhaps we could simply steal, er... borrow their idea?

Check

Equilibrium Capital Group, Northwest Technology Ventures, Nth Power, NXergy, Oregon Technology Business Center, OVP, Portland State Business Accelerator and Reference Capital.

How are voting, energy use and policy similar?

People vote, based on their perception. Politicians create or support policies based on their perceptions. A recent study in energy use provides a telling story: Our perceptions are 'off' - by a large factor! (Click on the table to enlarge it.)

Could we use $30 billion a year for renewables?

Where, or where might we be able to find this in the budget? How about dealing with Medicare Fraud! Pocket 1/2 ($30 billion) and spend the other half on renewables! Everyone wins, except cheats.

Incandescent lights save energy?

One of the many reasons that science and The Market needs to lead the way is illustrated in this Economist story... that making lighting more efficient may actually increase energy consumption (hint: It's done so in the past).