Since the latter part of the 19th century, West Virginia has been at the forefront of American energy production.  Will this continue?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contains billions and billions of dollars aimed at bringing about a “green revolution.”  If some of these initiatives are successful, they truly could revolutionize American and world energy production and consumption.  To help you understand the dramatic scope of the federal green investment, I have provided a partial list of initiatives below:

Department of Energy:

• Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy (ARPA-E).  To foster research and development of transformational energy-related technologies.
• Smart Grid Investments.  To improve electricity delivery and energy reliability.
• Nuclear Science and Technology.  To pursue forefront nuclear science research.
• Early Career Research.  To support energy researchers who are early in their careers.
• Alternative Isotope Production Techniques.  To seek breakthroughs that will facilitate an increased supply of isotopes that are in short supply.
• Integrated Biorefinery Operations.  To create biofuels and bioproducts refineries that can use a variety of feedstocks effectively.
• Energy Efficient Information and Communication Technology.  To reduce the energy use of technology equipment.
• Enhanced Geothermal Systems.  To improve energy extraction from geothermal sites and use of ground source heat pumps.
• Hydroelectric Facility Modernization.  To improve hydroelectric power production.
• Wind Turbine Drivetrains.  To design and construct a facility to test wind turbine drive trains.
• Wind Energy Consortia.  To develop consortia between higher education institutions and the wind industry.
• Advanced Energy Efficient Building Technology.  To support a wide range of research and development concerning energy efficient buildings.
• Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing.  To increase production of batteries and electric drive components.
• Truck Engines/Powertrains.  To improve truck engine energy efficiency.

Department of Labor:

• Energy Training Partnerships.  To provide training and placement services in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
• Green Capacity Building.  To build capacity of training programs to meet the needs of expanding green industries.
• State Energy Sector Partnerships.  To develop and implement a green energy sector workforce plan.
• State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants.  To improve data collection concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Other:

• Department of Transportation – TIGGER.  To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption of public transportation systems.
• Environmental Protection Agency.  To promote diesel emission reductions.

So where will the green revolution, if there truly is to be one, leave West Virginia?  The answer may depend on how quickly we can turn our hills and valleys green.  We’ll explore possible answers – and tie them into our Socratic analysis of mountaintop removal coal mining – over the coming weeks and months.