How many GE Execs does it take to install lightbulbs? (Part 2)

Mr. Cross's comment on my previous post misses the point.  My issue is not whether EV is "efficient" in what it does, although I would like to see EV subjected  a rigorous audit. Rather, the question is why is a taxpayer-funded entity needed to provide expertise to a business like GE, which is one of the world's foremost manufacturers of energy efficient equipment?   If, as the GE rep said, the project would pay for itself in a few years, then why not get a bank to finance the investments or, horrors, invest themselves?  The answer, of course, is that GE wants to recoup the tax it pays to EV every year, so it makes perfect sense to ask EV to help finance the new lighting improvements.

There are many private firms that specialize in energy efficiency and demand response investments, and which are only too glad to work with customers like GE.  Thus, while Efficiency Vermont may be the answer, it's not clear what's the question.  "I'll take government subsidies for $600, Alex."

Now, I moved from VT last summer, in part to escape the oppressive business environment.  As the saying goes, I have no dog in this hunt anymore.  But it saddens me to see VT continue down the path of becoming the "perfect little socialist state."

Comments

[Karen Kerin]

The greater tragedy is GE failing to support nuclear power after having made a lot of money from building big nukes.
Vermont could have low cost distributed energy generation by building small nukes based on the navy designs. There are many trained and now retired navy folks that could run them.
Small nukes represent very little threat and a huge opportunity for new enterprises. The waste heat has value in many applications and low cost electric heat could become a reality that reduces the need for oil. Similarly, we could grow virtually all of the seasonal crops we need reducing the oil required for trucking. Indeed, with the off peak electricity, electrolysis of water could provide huge amounts of hydrogen for fuel cell powered vehicles and inexpensive oxygen for many medical and industrial applications.
All that is needed to promote this locally funded opportunity is to get past the fear generated by a small minority of people who do not understand the physics and technology involved.