The Ozarks New Energy Conference is underway with around 300 in attendance. The morning was opened by Greene County Commissioner Dave Coonrod and the U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt.
(Not the best picture, I know…my phone was acting funny this morning and not in a “ha ha” funny way.)
Coonrod gave some opening remarks that were pretty uneventful. He talked about the restoration of the Gillioz theatre and his part in it. (I have to say the place is impressive…I had never been in the Gillioz before today. I’m looking forward to the day I can see a concert or play inside that venue.) Mr. Coonrod also talked of the reasons for everyone in attendance to be concerned for the future and said in terms of working for energy sustainability in the future “if it was easy we wouldn’t be here.”
Rep. Blunt made some good remarks overall but nothing earth shattering. He said that the US “produces more food than we can consume and we consume more energy than we can produce” and that it would be great if that situation could help the other by developing biodiesel and ethanol. He spoke of how we’re in a situation of being so dependent on oil that we have to buy it from people that hate us and would like to see us destroyed. He said he would like to see us reach the point we could choose who we purchase from instead of having no choice like the current situation.
Rep. Blunt also told those in attendance it was going to take a while to get where they wanted to go because things in Washington don’t happen overnight. He said that politicians in DC when faced with a dynamic situation do more to hold it back than to help it along and help it develop.
He also talked about making tax incentives permanent for making homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. He said that in the next year he’ll be focusing on “incentives that make sense.” One example was a tax incentive when building new homes and putting in energy efficient windows while those refurbishing existing structures can’t get the same credit.
Another issue was that in the US, it’s very hard for someone to recoup their costs in starting a renewable energy business. In the US after five years a business owner involved in enviromentally friendly industries can expect to recoup 35% of their costs. In Canada, the rate is 80%. He said that we need to find ways to get American investors to realize more rapid return on their investments.
He also said taxing oil companies won’t help “because they’ll just take their jobs overseas.”
I’ll try to talk to Senator Claire McCaskill later today. Her office called and told me that she would be available to media later today. I’ll report more from the conference tonight.
Rep. Blunt (said)… things in Washington don’t happen overnight. He said that politicians in DC when faced with a dynamic situation do more to hold it back than to help it along and help it develop
Obama’s desire and the American people’s desire for change hits the brick wall hard. Blunt doesn’t see he is part of the problem? IF Blunt truly wanted change he would be part of the solution.