Alternative energy is becoming more popular with the mainstream consumer. Even the resent presidential debates have been bringing to light the importance of changing the way we supply energy in this country. Fueled by the increased interest (pun intended), many companies are expanding their research into commercially viable products.

One of the directions companies, like SkyFuel, are aiming is the development of solar powered plants. Projects like these will make clean fuel a reality for more people in close quarters. Traditionally, the rural population has been more likely to grasp the technology around alternative energies.

The Department of Energy is helping to spur on innovation through its grants for research and development. The government seems eager to find ways to reduce American dependence on foreign energy sources and at the same time quiet the clamoring of green organizations that feel America is responsible for the depletion of the ecosystem.

As the interest in alternative fuels continues to find a home in the mainstream consumer, the options will also expand. The building of green power plants is surely to bring the industry to the forefront of the minds that don’t already have it there. With the government willing to back companies financially, the technology is sure to keep up with demand.

There are very few government officials out there calling for people to destroy the environment.  Some of them are even quite vocal that we need to work to save it in any way possible.  But the government - as an entity - does not need to push any green tech

on the populous.

The only way for the technology to take off is for the industry to push its development.  The only way the industry will push the development is when a need arises.  Right now, there isn’t much need for cheaper fuel.  Even with gas prices running over $3 per gallon, people just kept fueling up the cars.  The initial scare did cause a flood of used SUV’s to hit the market, but the automobile industry responded in kind with more fuel efficient SUV’s.

There has been some talk lately that the government should support financial the green industry.  It was even a subject in a recent republican presidential debate.  Subsidizing anything is a bad idea.  It causes innovation to stagnate.  Necessity is the mother of invention, not government support.  Hopefully, the green technologies will find their own footing and take off.  Until that happens, the government shouldn’t get involved.

The green in the military is more than just the uniforms.  The organization whose main goal is to seek and destroy is using eco-friendly technology to power its ability to do the dirty work.  The idea of an environmentally friendly army seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.

It actually makes sense that the military would use solar power, bio fuels, and hybrid vehicles.  Most of the time, there aren’t outlets that the military can just plug into.  It has to have a way to make its own power because being in the middle of no where is not conducive to “plugging in.”

The Army has been especially dedicated at developing tents that will power themselves.  Covered with thin amorphous silicon technology, these tents are like tiny power stations.  It these tents prove to be as tough as they are unique then they could give the Army a distinct advantage.

It is important that the military look at self-sustaining ways to deploy.  The last times that they have been in the field required the building of cities before forces could be moved in.  How much easier it would be if the forces had all the necessities neatly built in to their regulation equipment.

You could get arrested if you try to build a windmill on your property.

It seems that every one wants to go green, but nobody wants the alternative energy sources in their own back yard.  There have been several attempts to develop wind mill fields that would be able to supply whole communities with power.  The mere idea of the unsightly monstrosities covering the landscape outweighs the environmental impact potential, and a fire storm of protests quickly destroys the hope of development.

It may be hip to be green, but it’s not so cool if it starts to affect your property values.  The rich and famous in and around Cape Cod were quick to bring up the dangers of wind turbines when a development threatened their own ocean views.

Now the government wants to get involved and make it illegal to produce clean, green electricity from wind turbines.  The legislation is being touted as an “animal protection” bill because migratory birds can be killed by the wind turbines (Never mind the oil spills, pollutions, or global warming).

Personally, I don’t see what the fuss is all about.  Some countries have made an entire tourist industry off of windmills.  Maybe the engineers need to spend a little time making something that is not only energy efficient, but attractive as well.