McCain’s $300mil Battery Prize could jumpstart US Alternative Energy Innovation
A lot of people didn’t quite know what to think last week when Senator McCain proposed a $300 million taxpayer-funded cash prize to whomever could develop a battery that would leapfrog the efficiency of currently available technology, providing the same amount of power at 30% of the cost. Reactions from both Republicans and Democrats were mixed, and presidential rival Barack Obama dismissed the idea as a ‘gimmick’.
Just about everyone must admit that the same thought had crossed their mind – how serious is the cash prize plan, and does it have a chance of success? The short answer – yes, there’s a very good chance that Senator McCain’s proposal could result in the development of a new generation of efficient and cost effective battery technology.
I was tempted to just leave it at that, but there is indeed a very good reason for why the aforementioned plan will succeed. By shedding the chains of bureaucracy and special interests that generally accompany funding of this nature, it exits the grey area of the government subsidy and provides a true incentive for innovation — produce results, get the prize. In adopting this mindset, the McCain plan takes aim in the same direction that technological innovators already have in the recent past, valuing efficiency and demanding results.
Tesla Motors deal highlights why CA must become more business-friendly
It’s a good thing that Tesla Motors has decided to build its electric car factory in California. One of the main reasons executives changed their minds and decided not to build the factory in New Mexico as previously announced is instructive, creative and disconcerting all at once.
A major incentive to produce the cars in California is that the company will not have to pay sales tax on $100 million worth of manufacturing equipment. That will be a savings to the company of about $8 million.
Once again we see companies reacting to tax pressure. While a whole host of legislators and interest groups are clamoring for business to pay more taxes, we see that business paying less in taxes keeps companies, and most importantly, jobs in California. The government will get its share of revenue when those workers pay their taxes and the company pays other taxes.
Size 11 Carbon Footprint
I just finished another guilt-inducing article on the environment
that had two main points. First and foremost, it appears I am
personally responsible for the global warming crisis and the
resulting, unavoidable death and destruction. Second, no matter what
I do, or how I change my lifestyle, it will never be enough.
Much of the “frantic” messaging we are receiving reminds me of the
conflicting dietary messages from one decade to the next. Eggs are
good for you, eggs will kill you. Drink a glass of milk a day – if
you want to cut short your life. Alcohol is bad, except for the
glass of wine a day you should drink to live to be over 100 years
old. Early on I paid attention, but eventually, I simply tuned out
the back-and-forth between competing dietary “experts” and the
resulting media hysteria. Not surprisingly, the answer (simply
enough) appears to have been moderation, a lesson that would serve us
well now.
CA Falling Behind in Science and Technology
You would think that if California came out fourth in the nation in a technology and science index that would be a good thing. Since California ranks higher than 46 other states it isn’t bad, but considering the last time this index was released California ranked second there is reason for concern.
High Tech and California should go together like bread and butter. However, according to the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index California fell further behind number one ranked Massachusetts since the last study was released four years ago.