Issue Two, 2009

The Role of Government in Promoting Transformative Technologies

Moderator: Terrence O’Donnell, Attorney, Bricker & Eckler LLP
Panelists: Jack Dover, Senior Advisor on Economic Development, Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown;
Kimberly Gibson, Assistant to the Governor’s Energy Advisor, Ohio Air Quality Development Authority; and,
Erin Miller, Director, Center for Energy & Environment, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

The energy agendas and priorities for federal, state and local governments are shifting. The panel focused on what this shift means for the ways in which government can support technologies that pave the way to a more environmentally-friendly future. The panel discussed trends in clean energy and provided a political perspective on the technologies that are changing the way we think about energy usage and generation.

Highlights and insights from the panel included:

• Senator Brown sponsored a bill (S. 5) in January 2009 that seeks to improve the economy and security of the United States by reducing the dependence of the US on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and the risks of global warming. He also introduced the Green Energy Production Act in April 2008. This bill seeks to create a Green Energy Technology Investment Program aimed at entrepreneurs, innovators, colleges, schools, non-profits and other entities that have a role to play in green energy, but do not have the seed money to start. The funding decisions would be placed outside of the political process by the Green Technology Investment Corporation, comprised of individuals with relevant expertise in business development and green energy technology.

• In 2007, Senator Brown fought to pass an energy bill to renew Ohio’s manufacturing base through the promotion of alternative energy. The final bill included an amendment authored by Brown that provides grants for the manufacturing of alternative energy components and systems. In addition, the amendment puts pressure on the Department of Energy (DOE) to launch a long-delayed alternative energy loan program and ensure that small manufacturers have access to the funds. The regulations for this bill are not yet written, however Xunlight - a technology spin-off from the University of Toledo that engages in the development, manufacture and marketing of photovoltaic modules that convert sunlight into electricity - will seek $60 million in new guarantees when the regulations are complete.

• One of the great opportunities of the Third Frontier program has been moving Ohio to be a state that stimulates energy businesses rather than just regulating them.

• Ohio has $150 million to spend through its Advanced Energy Stimulus Program. To date it has received requests for more than $450 million in project funding. Private sector leverage is instrumental in providing matching funds needed to move these advanced technology projects through the funding pipeline.

• Ohio government agencies are working with the private sector and the state’s universities and research institutes to accelerate the deployment of advanced energy technologies.