TechNet, the technology industry’s lobbying arm, released a report today calling for an overhaul of U.S. policy to promote renewable energy and support green tech innovation. Silicon Valley heavyweights like Cisco Systems (CSCO) CEO John Chambers and venture capitalist John Doerr, along with green tech startup execs, are in Washington this afternoon to unveil the policy initiative. "We are at a unique inflection point at which it is within our reach as a nation to make the shift from an economy fueled predominantly by oil to one that relies on a balanced mix of alternative energies and new technologies," the TechNet Green Technologies Task Force states. "Clean energy innovations are positioned to be the next great disruptive technologies with the potential to revolutionize the energy industry, spurring economic growth and creating new industries
and jobs."
Among the policy recommendations:
- Double federal funding for energy research to $4 billion a year.
- Restructure tax incentives given to Big Oil and the fossil fuel industry to favor renewable energy and green tech innovation.
- Create a national renewable energy portfolio standard requiring utilities to source a percentage of their electricity from solar, wind and other green energy generation.
- Establish a national carbon trading market to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming.
- Allow utilities like PG&E (PCG) to recoup their investments in renewable energy generation and transmission.
- As the largest energy buyer in the country, the federal government should spur green tech innovation through purchases of renewable energy and establish a quota for green energy consumption.
- Promote national energy efficiency standards.
To show its member companies practice what they preach, the TechNet report cited recent corporate efforts to support renewable energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Computer chip equipment maker Applied Materials (AMAT), for instance, has pledged to power 12 percent of its headquarters from solar and wind energy while Google (GOOG) is installing a 1.6 megawatt solar array on its headquarters buildings to supply 30 percent of its electricity. Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) has promised to increase its purchases of renewable energy by 350 percent in 2007 and Yahoo (YHOO) converted its employee shuttles to run on biodiesel.
Green Wombat 
It’s to bad our elected leaders don’t care about the american people or the environment. The only thing they care about is how much money they are putting into their own pocket. Period. It is little wonder why america is so hated around the world.
I need funding to launch a new product that provides 60% or better fuel economy improvement for over the road vehicle operation.