Stimulus has to work

The economic stimulus package that Congress was putting together at press time is massive and controversial. It looks not just to fix the economy but, to an extent, remake it. And a primary means to that end is the pushing of green manufacturing and jobs.

The proposed package that was heading to President Obama´s desk for signature last week features billions of dollars to promote alternative energy, green manufacturing and consumer tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles. Businesses can get a tax credit of as much as 30% for producing technology to make alternative energy. State and local governments would receive billions of dollars to spend on energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel emissions. Consumers might get help to reduce energy consumption.

If it works, it would be a tremendous move for the economy and the environment. Economic revival is what everyone wants and needs. And if that can be done by reducing our carbon emissions and foreign oil dependence while improving our efficiency, that would take a horrible situation and turn it to an immeasurable advantage.

But it has to work. If it doesn´t, the green movement could become yesterday´s discarded trend. That could be tragic. An enormous amount of our future is riding on this package, both economically and environmentally.

(Feb. 16 issue)