Quote:
Originally Posted by Undertoad
How do you know that?
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As TW pointed out, the distinction needs to be made between basic research, in which the government has been a signficant contributor, and applied research, where the private sector has and should be the primary contributor.
Government labs (not to just DoE, but DoD, NASA...) and govt grants to other labs (both pubilc and private) have been conducting and funding energy related research for years on a wide range of energy efficiency and renewables research.
It is a good model of public private partnerships.
The problem is we are falling behind China, Japan, EU and other nations who not only contribute significantly to basic R&D but also subsidize the industries resulting from the emerging technologies.
We've pretty much given the next generation car batteries to Japan, China and Korea.
We're still leading the world in govt R&D in nano-technology with real implications for alternative or more efficient energy resouces, but we are pulling back on govt investment as many of the other major players are increasing govt support.
Govt R&D investments in renewable or clean energy as well as increased energy efficiency can result in emerging technologies /industries that will have a global market.
THe question remains as to the commitment of the US to compete with the rest of the world with government supporting the basic r&d that is the foundation of future commercial development.