How's this?
Clean Energy Question
Secretary Chu,
Just how is the US suppose to take a lead internationally in energy solutions when we lag behind in development and sponsored support? Companies like Quantum Materials Corp /Solterra Renewable Technologies, Inc. based right here in the heart of the sun belt have to pursue overseas development opportunities. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are running circles around the US who can't see the forest of energy resources because of the political trees. One example is awarding $532 Million to just one company in California, Solyndra. A political favor payback possibly for supporting a particular vote? The UAE is publicly stating and engaging in the development of innovative renewable energies. Their goal is to become to the solar industry what they are in the oil industry, major exporters of the next generation of energy. Why is the US not pursuing this same strategy with real investment in educational facilities that have the sole purpose of researching and developing the next generation of renewable technologies for energy as the UAE is doing at KAUST University? Instead of the professors having to look and find their own funding at KAUST they are automatically granted an annual research budget of 400 to 800K to use at their discretion. How good is the DOE assistance program when companies like Solterra are forced to seek help developing breakthrough opportunities in solar power overseas instead of where it would benefit the US economy the most, developing infrastructure for energy independence here in the US .
Respectfully,
William Leigh
Kind of screwed up rereading it now by mixing the education part and funding of a company. Too late now, it's sent. That's what I get after a day of partying in Vegas. Time to pass out for a couple hours. :)
