Opinion Pieces
Green technology can help the economy
Capital Region,
April 17, 2012
The talk coming out of Washington is as rigid and partisan as ever. Some are calling for across-the-board spending cuts. Some are calling for tax increases. And still others, including President Barack Obama, are seeking middle-ground compromise. All the while, the economy moves sluggishly along and the Aug. 2 debt ceiling deadline creeps ever closer. Our nation is at a nexus, and I for one don't want to see our economic recovery cut off at the knees. We must be bold, work together and solve these challenging issues. If we do it correctly and in a timely manner, we will see economic growth, new jobs and continued global leadership. But if we fail because some at the bargaining table lack the good-faith leadership necessary to enact a compromise, we will let down not only this generation of Americans, but our children and grandchildren as well. Just last week, the Brookings Institution validated what the Capital Region has been trying to do for years by naming our area a leader in green technology and clean energy. We were dubbed a "surprise leader in the green economy" and Albany was lumped in with much bigger urban areas such as Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco that contributed $1 billion to the clean-export economy. That's right. We do so well that we are able to export clean energy ideas. But this distinction did not happen by accident, nor did it happen by cutting government spending. In fact, just the opposite is true. With more than 28,000 clean energy jobs today, our area's investment in the physical and human infrastructure, training, facilities, research and development and clustering is reaching critical mass, and paying off in a big way. And yet, many in Congress are suggesting the exact opposite approach. They would rather cut investments in advanced technologies, cut worker training programs, cut research and development and cut education. In essence, they would rather cut America off at the knees to appeal to an extreme base than invest in her future. But I believe we are better than that, I believe we are worth investing in and I believe that it is only by getting Americans back to work that we can truly bring down the deficit. We must negotiate in good faith and raise the debt ceiling. And if the debt ceiling is to be lifted in conjunction with a deficit reduction plan, it must include raising taxes on those most able to pay them so that we can return our focus to the utmost important issue: implementing policies that create jobs and rebuild the economy. We cannot afford to stifle our fledgling economy by only making drastic domestic spending cuts that would drive further unemployment and kill the potential for our economic resurgence. The federal government would do well to use the Capital Region as a template to putting our country to work, especially in the ever-growing green technology and clean energy sectors. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, represents the 21st Congressional District. |