Why the assumption that anything green has got to be a liberal initiative? That's the problem with energy independence and protection of OUR environment. It's politicized and it shouldn't be.
I agree that "green" (whatever that means) has become politicized. The companies that are making choices for efficiency (nevermind any environmental impact improvement) are doing it for green, allright- cash money. If Krispy Kreme starts running their delivery fleet off the grease they're paying to dispose of, they're going to save thousands over Dunkin Donuts. Most things come down to the cost of the changeover- sure, oil companies want you to buy oil, but they also want you to buy your "green" energy from them. That's no conspiracy, that's business. And I don't see anything wrong with making business decisions that reduce waste and pollution and are profitable.
There are companies in California that will install solar panels on your roof, for free, in exchange for all the surplus energy you ever produce, ever. Wow, how green. Think about that deal- sure, you don't have the ten grand startup cost, but they're gonna get it back.
So algae, corn gas, electric cars (where does the electricity come from?), biodiesel, gasification, solar panels, wind power... systems will settle into whatever works for them. If government subsidies alter the market then that will change what works. I think what we're seeing is an overall decentralization of the control over power, and certain things are becoming much more available to the individual. I think that's a good thing.
