Iowa Policy Research . org :: Energy Initiative Project

The United States has grown considerably and its appetite for resources has grown in parallel. Today, we face an enormous challenge ahead as the effects and dangers of global warming, security becomes more fragile, and wealth is being transferred around the world (Pickens, 2008; Yergin, 2008). The next biggest challenge for the country is to seek a good strategy for handling the impending needs of the American energy appetite as well as those from around the world and make those inviting to business strategies (Wirth & Podesta, 2003; Enkvist, Naucler & Oppenheim, 2008).

Another Silicon Valley

David Sokol, CEO of MidAmerican Energy Company, (2008) suggested to Congress that the United States needs a massive project and initiative to change our energy policy and consumption on the scale of the Apollo Moon Project. That project involved thousands of business with a task to develop and to invent technologies that have influence the country beyond the primary goal of sending someone to the moon. Additionally, the Economist (June 19, 2008) describes the potential for "Another Silicon Valley" that focuses upon energy technology.

If the United States works with that idea, we find a correlation with what Thomas Edison did for the light bulb when his team built an effective light bulb design but more about ultimately providing the support infrastructure around the light bulb (such as switches, wires, sockets, plugs, and electrical delivery systems). By considering the state (and the country as a whole) in a few years to many years from today, we identify target energy objectives, and then, we can strategically analyze what we need to do today to get to our energy objectives.

What we do today can be beneficial, profitable and healthy for Americans today and tomorrow, but we must be willing to invest in our future for these things to happen. The vision that we set forth and the investment that we commit may be risky to short term needs like looming deficits, but the properly managed and directed investment will provide rewards similar to the challenge that the moon mission did. In likeness to such a vision, the bountiful technologies that we gained from the moon mission more than paid for the investment, and if we focus upon target milestones, we can exceed simply meeting the goals and mission of the project. As well, the project can provide the economic growth well within the target parameters of time and cost.

We have to be willing to challenge average Americans and businesses to achieve the vision and goals set forth. The undeniable benefit will be to pass on more opportunities and efficient processes to our posterity rather than a depleted environment with consumed resources. There is an economic and moral cost to gluttonous energy consumption, and there are economic benefits to a "green" policy for today and tomorrow (Birol, 2007).

IEEC: The Four Parts

The four parts of this entire project focuses upon IEEC: Innovation, Education, Efficiency and Conservation. The first part identifies innovation and invention to build or to improve energy efficient technologies in terms of the consumption, the production and the transmission. The second part focuses upon education where curriculum development, similar to Hudson's ideas (2003), can steer toward scientific and intellectual achievement for resourceful use of energy and the environment. Efficiency will guide people towards building efficient designs and processes that attempt to reduce waste in every way possible with an ultimate goal of 0% waste production. Conservation parallels efficiency efforts where the project focus is upon using only that which is necessary to consume.

Sustainable energy policy is possible in good companies that build efficient processes (efficient production) and consumers that understand the affects of their consumption (educated consumers). As well, good policy sets forth benchmarks, tactical timelines, goals and strategies for achieving cost-effective solutions for stakeholders that encourages technology development in order to achieve the overall goals. Since this is a broad encompassing proposal we can not expect that one company can do this alone, nor can one city, but the state of Iowa can be the catalyst and the example that fosters mutual benefit for consumers, government, industry and the future of the whole country.

Giving Back to the Future as an Opportunity

We must realize that consumption can not control our destiny because those in our posterity need to be able to function in life as well. Theodore Roosevelt thought that the resources and environment are mutually shared responsibilities and must be maintained if our future generations are to have wealth in their years and truly enjoy democracy (Filler, n.d.). As well, from our American Indian cultures, we must realize that we should take only what we are willing give back.

Proverbially, we can not "idly put our heads in the sand" and pretend that nothing happens, wait for issues to resolve themselves, wait for better technology to be created, or get stuck in nuisance discussions about energy efficiency or climate change as suggested by (Stein, 2008). Doing so, we would simply miss the opportunity to do something for our community, our nation and ultimately our world. This will be the bold incentive and vision to encourage science, innovation and perhaps the "next silicon valley" because no one company or the government can do this alone.
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Some Project Goals

Challenge Iowa based engineering to build and create technologies that do not exist or to significantly improve those that do exist.
Cast Iowa as the catalyst to innovation around the world with respect to energy, the environmental and consumption (perhaps labeled as that "Silicon Valley" for energy technology).
Provide incentives and awards for innovations and inventions from local companies and individuals that further those goals
Provide a means to efficiently and cost-effectively convert existing dwellings, vehicles and consumer habits into energy efficient and environmentally respectful focuses.
Educate consumer about consumption and energy use/costs through marketing methods, University outreach, and the Iowa press
Challenge state-funded higher institutions (like Iowa State University and University of Iowa) to encourage innovation and energy efficient engineering
Higher educational loan grants and incentives for innovative Iowa students that develop new technologies and processes who are dedicated to staying in Iowa
Challenge consumers to be more efficient rather than wasteful
Revolutionize and develop a community of self-sufficient means that focuses upon being a energy producer rather than waste producer
Scrutinize every dollar of public money for public benefit as a commitment to responsible use of public funds