By: Bill Holmberg, Chairman of the Biomass Coordinating Council, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
In these troubling times, it is critical to recognize the irreplaceable value of "new wealth industries" (NWI). NWI are based on natural resources - mining (oil gas, coal, minerals, metals); agriculture; aquaculture; silvaculture (forestry); all renewable technologies (biofuels, biopower and biothermal energy), solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and water power, and renewable hydrogen; recycling/reuse; Energy Efficiency; and human creativity.
The importance of NWI was recognized by President Lincoln when building the transcontinental railroad (rails manufactured in the US) and by President Roosevelt during World War II. Neglect set in during the Truman Administration when the concept of parity for agriculture (one of America's most important NWIs) was set aside while US oil production dominated the world with major NWI benefits.
New Wealth Industries are vital to the reconstruction of America, given their economic multipliers (generally more than three, whereas service industries are generally limited to one plus). These industries produce new commodities in a sustainable manner, whereas service industries do not produce goods. NWI are an investment in the future while creating new basic industries and quality jobs; they have ready markets - many are "shovel ready," and they encourage positive nation and community oriented consumption, while contributing to national, energy, homeland, economic and environmental security. These industries also combat the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
In our haste to recover economically, we are wisely using stimulus dollars to support important service industries, bankers, police, fire fighters, teachers, public servants, marketers of goods and services to stimulate consumption. It is also important to direct adequate stimulus funds toward generating new wealth. As valuable as these service professions are, they are in fact dependent on new wealth industries for their own long term sustainability.
America cannot recover without focusing on sustainable new wealth industries.
Biofuels, biopower, and biothermal energy play critical roles in our future, and will succeed because they are products of American agriculture and silvaculture industries with significant support from aquaculture, hunting and open stream fishing, renewable energy, recycling and reuse, energy efficiency and human creativity. These industries are driving forces that also demand a nationwide focus on health, education, creativity and community involvement.
The low hanging fruit - energy efficiency (weatherization of low-income housing, schools, public buildings, etc.) should be our first order of business, followed by advancing all renewable energy industries!
For more information on NWI, email biorefiner@aol.com.
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