Proposing an Idea

Mr. President,

Thank you very much for receiving me and granting me thirty minutes.

As we both know, America is facing extreme economic hardships at this time. In an article from Washington Post, you mentioned a plan to "save billions by making 2 millions homes and 75 percent of federal buildings more energy-efficient, and to double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy within three years."

I have some ideas regarding the issue for you to consider.

According to Internal Revenue Service, in 2006 a new law was created, which consists of providing tax credits for making your principal residence, which must be in the United States, more energy efficient and for buying certain energy efficient items. It also provides a "10 percent credit for buying qualified energy efficiency improvements", "a credit for costs relating to residential energy property expenses" and it also "makes a credit available to those who add qualified solar panels, solar water heating equipment, or a fuel cell power plant to their homes...".

In my opinion, this is a helpful law for the economy, but we can still take it further. We have already made an improvement on it by providing tax credits to citizens that have purchased hybrid motors vehicles. But what about independent businesses or even national franchises? There are businesses that would like to become more energy efficient, but they can't afford it. Giving them grants would allow them to become more energy efficient. I know that it is quite a cost to perform that, but in the long run it will save more money because there won't be much waste of resources.

For example, a compact fluorescent lamp is a tool that "makes dramatic efficiency improvements...", according to Nathan Glasgow (senior consultant - Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Institute). This lamp only "uses from 70 to 80 percent less electricity and lasts 10 to 13 times longer than an incandescent bulb..." It cost from 2 to 5 dollars.

Providing tools, such as this compact fluorescent, to businesses that seek to become more energy efficient, would make an improvement to our current economic situation.


Quotes and Resources:
- "Barack Obama - The Action Americans Need - washingtonpost.com." washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines. Link
- "DEVELOPMENT: Answer to Energy Crisis? Waste Not, Want Not." IPS Inter Press Service. Link
-"Highlights of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for Individuals." Internal Revenue Service. Link