Alternative Energy News - December 16, 2006

• Alcan is launching an R&D initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its aluminum smelting technology and has set a target of reducing energy use by 20 percent.


• BP and Old Country Roofing have signed an agreement to offer turnkey solar roofing solutions to more than 100 homebuilding companies and homeowners.


• Cape Cod's wind prospects and energy output get a boost.


• More renewable energy, more energy conservation, and less carbon emissions for Minnesota are the benefits from the Next Generation Energy Initiative announced by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Interestingly, the above four news stories show how both private enterprise and government can work together to find solutions to our (in this case, energy) problems. It doesnt' have to be, like most Republicans insist, just the free markets. Government doesn't have to be part of the problem, or a hindrance to solving problems. The problems occur when you have people (read: Republican conservatives) running the government when their sole purpose and mission is to weaken government itself. That's why you have things like the Hurricane Katrina debacle under Bush's watch.