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Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 12:58:33 PM

jlf1961

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Recently, A123 a company that manufacturers pf lithium ion batteries announced a break through in the technology that would make lithium Ion batteries more tolerant of extremes in temperatures thus making them better for Electric Vehicles.

Great news.

Except that the company that is a start up from MIT is in financial trouble. The company stocks traded at $1.67 a 68% rise after the announcement of the breakthrough.

Here is the problem, like Solyndra (which received money from both the Bush and Obama administrations) A123 has received loan guarantees from the US Government, albeit from the Obama Administration.

Business analysts estimate the company needs to raise 75 million by the last quarter of this year and an additional 200 million to fund ongoing operations, including manufacturing the new battery.

This brings up an interesting point.

Investments in this kind of research seems to stem from government loans.

Wouldn't it be better if the government funded and was directly involved in new technology research?

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 1:00:30 PM

mnottertail

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They were in it with both feet in St. Wrinklemeats time, and I thought after all the crap, alotta good stuff came out of it, and I am for a coherent and cohesive energy policy and national policy overall so my vote is YUP. We should be doing lots of it.

< Message edited by mnottertail -- 6/12/2012 1:01:17 PM >

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 1:00:43 PM

Musicmystery

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http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Science/Agencies.shtml

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 3:43:07 PM

Fellow

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The government of course funds research massively. There are two problems I see: (1)low efficiency and (2) the taxpayer does not get the fruits out of their investment (it goes heavily to corporations and to selected individuals) while the losses are dumped on the public.

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 5:52:23 PM

LookieNoNookie

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quote:

Wouldn't it be better if the government funded and was directly involved in new technology research?

Sorry....I'm missing the question here.

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/12/2012 6:39:12 PM

Karmastic

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quote:

Wouldn't it be better if the government funded and was directly involved in new technology research?

they are, it just depends on the project.

i would say privately funded research is more cost effective. it's hard enough with paperwork for regulated projects, so i can't imagine having someone from the government on the team, breathing down my neck and putting a bigger burden on me.

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/13/2012 1:30:52 PM

papassion

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Let China or some other country do all the heavy investment and research, and when they get it perfected, copy it! Play their game!

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RE: Economics and Politics of Alternative Energy Research - 6/13/2012 1:56:17 PM

Hillwilliam

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quote:

ORIGINAL: papassion

Let China or some other country do all the heavy investment and research, and when they get it perfected, copy it! Play their game!

Are you saying their scientists are better than ours?

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