The Top Ten Players In Green Energy: Nos. 6-10
Every month, GER assembles a list of the top ten players in green energy. Some of the rankings are counterintuitive, especially the players who oppose green energy initiatives. But these rankings are based on the players’ influence over green energy policy and their ability to move the debate.
Other factors in the rankings include industry and popular support for their positions, access to capital to fund innovation and the success of their ventures.
10: George Soros, Chairman Soros Fund Management
Last month, George Soros, the New York financier who broke the Bank of England (and reaped $1 billion doing it) said he plans invest $1 billion in green energy.
His spokesman told GER that he’s not starting an energy company but will likely step in as an early stage investor in ventures that he says are “profitable” (there are not a lot of those) and “actually make a contribution to solving the [climate change] problem.”
Soros is joining a growing list of green billionaires including Virgin’s Richard Branson, Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page or oil man-turned-wind-developer T.Boone Pickens. So far, Soros is keeping his cards close to his vest and not divulging where he’ll put his money. Once he does, investors will take note.
9: The State of Vermont
Vermont has always stood out for its independent streak.
For a brief time, it was an independent republic (1777-1791) and was first to send an unabashed Socialist to Congress. So it was no surprise when in May Vermont enacted the country’s first state-wide feed-in tariff system. The program officially opened last month and the response has been overwhelming.
On the first day of enrollment the state received some 200 applications, representing 172 megawatts of solar PV generation capacity, way above the 100 megawatts the state currently produces from renewables. One consultant told Vermont Public Radio that the state expected to get applications for some 12 megawatts of solar generation capacity.
8: Dr. Joseph Romm, blogger Climate Progress, Senior Fellow,Center for American Progress
Three cheers for a green progressive who is not a stereotypical, simpering wuss.
Romm sharpens his battle axe everyday and chops away at bad science masquerading as “unconvential thinking.” His multipart takedown of SuperFreakonomics was the most influential and sustained attack on the farcical book. His exclamation point (!!!) and chart-laden attacks on “global cooling” are also required reading.
But he’s not afraid to get sloppy and emotional when good things happen, such as when Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham got on board with Sen. John Kerry’s climate change bill. He’s everything a blogger should be.
7: Massey Energy Chairman and CEO Don Blankenship
It must feel a little lonely at the top these days for U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue as he deals with the departure of a string of high profile, blue chip companies. But one person Donohue can count on is Don Blankenship, and not surprisingly, Blankenship heads the very old world coal producer Massey Energy.
Blankenship pays his yearly Chamber dues for the sort of climate skeptic lobbying the chamber is offering. Blakenship and Massey epitomize what Congress and the Obama administration are up against as it tries to get a climate change legislation into law. On climate change and the pricing of carbon Blankenship says: “I don’t like to see trade associations refer to global warming as ‘an issue’ because it supports the idea something needs to be done about it.”
6: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has come out over the past weeks as a passionate defender of American clean energy companies.
His big concern from the start has been China. He’s warned that companies there are making some major advancements and the U.S.”better be paying attention.”
Last week, he was in China, where he brokered a deal that’s likely to grow U.S. investments in the country. Under Locke, the Commerce Department is working overtime to ensure that the U.S. becomes the global destination for cleantech innovation and investments.
Photo credit: Soros courtesy Jeff Ooi, LensaMalaysia.com
