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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton holds up a cooking fuel made in Haiti from recycled paper and sawdust during the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 at UNLV on Monday.
By Alexandra Berzon, J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
, Stephanie Tavares
Published Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 | 10:35 a.m.
Updated Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 | 5:35 p.m.
Clinton visits UNLV
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Sun Coverage
Beyond the Sun
Former President Bill Clinton today urged America to take control of its energy future.
In a nearly hour-long speech at the National Clean Energy Summit at UNLV, Clinton urged Americans to support energy efficiency measures, including green building practices and weatherization retrofits on all buildings. He called efficiency measures low-hanging fruit as the country battles global warming, recession and rising energy costs. Clinton noted that millions of Americans are unemployed or underemployed but that their plight could be eased by aggressive retrofit campaigns that would save energy and money while putting Americans back to work.
Energy experts, politicians and business officials from around the country are in Las Vegas today discussing what the United States needs to do to become the leader in clean energy at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.
In his speech, Clinton urged politicians and everyday Americans to get weatherization and retrofit programs off the ground now. He said people are too often distracted from this important work by the prospect of exciting new technologies that won't have an impact on employment for years. Weatherization, he argued, would have a greater immediate impact. Every $1 billion dollars invested in a power plant creates 870 jobs, he said. If it was invested in solar photovoltaic it would create 1,700 jobs. But if invested in building retrofits it could lead to 6,000 jobs, said.
"It is worth remembering that the least sexy topic is where the most jobs are," he said.
Clinton said his message is particularly relevant for Nevada, which has seen among the highest unemployment and housing foreclosure rates in the country.
He said the hardest part would be convincing naysayers that the country can afford to retrofit old buildings. He said the taxpayers shouldn't have to fund this economic development when there is more than enough money available in the banks. American banks, he said, have $900 billion in funds that could be lent out for residential and commercial retrofits that could be guaranteed to pay for themselves within years.
He proposed creating a federal loan system for energy efficiency similar to the Small Business Administrator's loan program, which encourages banks to grant government-backed loans to qualified small businesses.
"You've got to get the banks involved if you're going to stop piddling around," he said. "We need the jobs today."
'A second industrial revolution'
U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu speaks during a roundtable discussion at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 at UNLV Monday. Listening at left is U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
Earlier today, panelists discussed strategies included workforce training, local and national regulatory improvements, residential and commercial weatherization, energy efficient building codes, renewable energy, electric efficiency and conversion of fleet vehicles, buses and tractor trailers to lower-carbon and plant-based fuel sources.
Speakers noted that the U.S. has exported the very technologies that are allowing other nations to grow their clean energy industries and manufacturing bases. The U.S. needs to support emerging technologies, and research and development so the country can benefit from the advancements made here, panelists said.
"We have to have a second industrial revolution," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "The first gave us power that could relieve us of human and animal labor, but we only just realized what the costs were -- specifically carbon dioxide. We need to develop technology that enables us to get the energy we need to develop and prosper but will reduce and eliminate carbon dioxide. Once we get this machine geared, we'd be invincible but the trouble is getting it going."
The country is still behind in the race for dominance in the industry. China has revealed plans to roll out a huge smart grid over the next few years and most of the world's solar panels are built overseas. Improving the country's own grid and bringing jobs back to America will create new jobs, improve productivity and diversify the economy, panelists said.
Much of the oil the United States imports is purchased from unstable or unfriendly governments, and converting to cleaner, local fuel sources would make the country less vulnerable to the whims of hostile nations, panelists said.
Gore calls climate change 'our mandate'
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore speaks during a roundtable discussion at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 at UNLV Monday.
Kicking off the summit this morning, former vice president Al Gore said that solving the problem of climate change is "our generation's mandate and responsibility."
Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his climate change activism, said he expected Sen. Harry Reid to secure renewable energy jobs for Nevada the same way the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee had once brought enormous government investment for the building of the atomic bomb for his home state of Tennessee.
"Indeed there are lots and lots of good jobs in this effort to re-power America," Gore said.
Development of clean energy, Gore said, can stabilize energy prices and reduce dependency on foreign oil, help end the economic crisis, and solve the problem of climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
The success of such events will be judged by future generations, he said.
"Our kids years from now say, 'Didn't you notice the entire polar ice cap was melting in the summer of 2009?" Gore said. "Didn't you care about that? Didn't you notice these storms? Didn't you notice the thousand year drought, rising sea levels, trees dying across the American West? What we're y'all doing - watching 'American Idol'?"
The second annual summit was organized by the university, Reid and the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.
Early speakers included Gore, Reid, and Center for American Progress executive director John Podesta. They framed the event as a chance to provide a boost for energy legislation to pass through the Senate with a higher cost for carbon emissions.
The event features speeches and roundtable talks by top Obama administration brass, national energy experts and environmental glitterati.
Demonstrators make their voices heard
A man, center, who identified himself as "The Pharmacist" pickets outside the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0 in Las Vegas on Monday.
This year's event promises to focus on jobs and transforming the American economy from reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources such as oil and gas and toward renewable energy, such as wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency technologies.
It was a theme echoed by out-of-work laborers inside the event and green jobs picketers outside the university gates.
Several hundred demonstrators on both sides of the ongoing energy debate rallied outside the Thomas & Mack Center, weathering already sweltering temperatures.
About 75 conservative activists waved signs and shouted at passing cars.
Shawn Moshos, a union carpenter and Ron Paul delegate to the Nevada state Republican Convention in Reno last year, said he was on hand to protest policies that he believes will edge America toward socialism. "This is about controlling America's prosperity, when we should be in charge of our prosperity." Recently passed legislation that would limit carbon emissions by instituting a system for trading and selling emissions credits would destroy more jobs than it would create, he charged.
The conservative demonstrators were outnumbered by progressive activists who chanted, "What do we want? Clean energy! When do we want it? Now!"
Despite the focus on clean energy policy, the event has the feel of a political event, with lobbyists and political operatives, nearly all of them Democrats, chatting each other up and getting ready for the big-name Democrats to speak.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won't attend the summit and instead will work in Sacramento before returning to Cape Cod, Mass., to be with his extended family.
Why are they continuing to push for CAP & TAX and health-care reform while neglecting unemployment and foreclosures?
gotjobs: this summit is about green energy which could bring thousands of jobs to Nevada. Also, healthcare costs are a drain on every business but insurance companies. In short, a more efficient health care system means more jobs.
I wonder if Al Gore flew to the National Clean Energy Summit on his private jet.
"Why are they continuing to push for CAP & TAX and health-care reform while neglecting unemployment and foreclosures?"
Ummm... Maybe because the energy plan will result in thousands of new jobs here in Nevada and a chance for us to finally diversify our casino-dependent economy? Oh, and that health care reform done right will lower our costs and help us keep more money in our pockets while getting better care? I know this is too complex for the "usual suspects" here to understand, but these issues are connected. Without health care reform, our economic recovery won't be complete. Without action on climate change, we won't be able to move our economy into the 21st century.
And btw, there is action on unemployment and foreclosures. But of course, the Republicans all voted against that earlier this year (the stimulus bill) and are now scrambling to take credit for something they had no part of.
they are looking to get rich!! they do not have the american people in mind...
this weather is mild compared to other years...have you ever heard of weather cycles? if you are so concerned with global warming and believe the carbon dioxide theory---plant more trees or quit breathing....
"What do we want? Clean energy! When do we want it? Now!"
Watch out, when government gets involved it means taking existing wealth and shuffling it to politically well connected players. You may get expensive clean energy at the expense of increased poverty and a lower quality of life"
"The conservative demonstrators were outnumbered by progressive activists who chanted, "What do we want? Clean energy! When do we want it? Now!""
Yet, the coverage is all about the conservative protesters. Seems to me that conservative activists are taken far more seriously than others. Why?
Would someone please explain just how CAP & TAX will create new jobs, as opposed to being a job killer? If healthcare reform will save money, why does the CBO say it will cost $1.5 TRILLION?
The Energy Summit is a good thing...Nevada has the potential to play a very important role in making this country energy independent.
How much longer can we afford to import 70% of the oil that we use? Our dependence on foreign oil is not only an economic concern for us but it's a national security concern as well...
I'm very perplexed by the right-wingers who are against any change in our present energy policy. They truly believe that walking backwards is progress....amazing!
The Bush administration did NOTHING when it came to solving the energy problems facing us and the present leaders of the GOP have also decided to follow that same path.....
This country should be leading the world in the production of clean, renewable energy but instead, we're bringing up the rear....
It's time to build a better energy mouse trap.......
Does anyone else see the irony of a "union carpenter" complaining about socialism?
Yes We Can and Yes we Will get new Energy Jobs in Nevada! Clean, Solar, Wind. It is just one of those Carter pills to swallow for Republicans and Conservatives. Yucca is a great place for a wind farm.
Like Health Care Reform President Obama will make Carter Pills work for Nevada and America! Yes WE ARE Here Now!
I love it, when war gets protested it is freedom of speech, yet when this gets protested it is vile and evil. Nice
What an arrogant jerk. First the debate was over and now it is a mandate. I guess it cannot be a calling from God as the leftist don't believe.
The only thing Al Gore cares about is making a fortune from carbon credit trading and tax subsidies to his energy investments. Between Gore, Daschel, and General Electric the trinity of global warming is trying to sell this to raid the treasury with Obama leading the way.
Nevada in 10 years = clean air but no water.
"Would someone please explain just how CAP & TAX will create new jobs"
Glad to help Gotjobs....With CAP&TRADE we will need a lot more bankruptacy judges and state workers in the social services sector to assist those that cannot pay their power bills.
Al Gore does not believe in global warming if he did do you not think he would be driving in something green friendly. Or, he would use energy wisely which he does not in his lavious mansion in Tenn. Maybe Al Gore would better serve mankind by looking for ManBearPig as he did on the Southpark episode. Stop Cap and Tax, and Stop Socialism by keeping America strong!
Global warming is here and NOT going away...I understand flapping your lips as you do can create enough energy to light 4 homes in Nevada for 12 months.....ain't that the truth !!
Too many "self centered" people here for my liking.Think out of the box....think of someone other than yourself.You're a small fish in a large pond. Time to get a reality check !!
The problem with people who are ignoring global warming is they lack any historical expertise.
The car companies lied to congress about not being able to meet emission standard in 1974. The met the standards.
The car companies lied to congress in 1979 and said that fuel economy standards would kill the V8 engine and performance vehicle. They met the fuel economy standards and built V10 and huge V8 engines.
The oil companies lied to congress about running out of oil in 1919.
The oil companies lied to congress about running out of oil in 1974.
The oil companies lied to congress about running out of oil in 1998.
The is no oil shortage, there is only a shortage of cheap hydrocarbon fuels. This is enough oil, coal, and natural gas to last 1,000 years.
The chemical companies lied about CFC and its effects on the environment. Now the ozone layer won't repair itself for 140 years and skin cancer rates are doubling.
Bush lied about Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. Now over 4,000 soldiers are dead and
Afghanistan is being taken over by Taliban with 1,000 of more dead expected.
In the 1950s, the catholic church said the oceans were an unlimited source of food. Now the oceans are depleated.
The special interest LIE to make more money.
AL GORE IS TELLING THE TRUTH.
Bob635, that is funny, Gore telling the truth as he cruises at 15,000 feet in his Gulf Stream jet. Cap and trade will work, but not how they are telling us. The carbon trading scheme will not reduce carbon emissions, either a manufacturer will buy some carbon offset from the exchange or they will move to China. The carbon trade does not reduce the emission, but instead allows the manufacturer to produce the goods, but at a higher rate (tax if you will). They in turn pass this cost onto you and I, because they won't produce at a loss unless the government props them up (i.e. auto industry). This will result in higher prices for EVERYTHING, including fuel, ac, heat, food, manufactured goods and so on. This is where the cap and trade reduces our carbon footprint. We are no longer able to purchase goods, drive our vehicles and our manufacturing closes down or goes over seas. We can not afford our home energy usages, so we cut back on ac and heat. Finally, we have lowered our standard of living and turned America into a service only economy, but we have reduced our carbon footprint. In the end who benefits from this bill? Two groups, the Chinese take over almost all our manufacturing and the same companies that our taxes were used to bail out during the current crisis are the companies that will be running the carbon exchange and making trillions off our suffering. The Obama administration under estimated the current recessions severity (both Obama and Biden admit this) and yet we are now to believe these same economists with their cap and trade scheme? While I believe we need to reduce/end our dependency on middle east oil (fossil fuels for that matter) however, tearing down the house to remodel the bathroom doesn't make any sense. Like the health care plan, this plan is flawed and like the health care plan, Obama and his minions in the house rammed this bill through without letting us know about it and it's consequences (or themselves reading the bills). We need health insurance reform, but not at a reduced care and we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but not at the expense of our standard of living. OK, go ahead and flame me, tattle on me and send my post to Obama, but it is my opinion and until the government stamps out descent, I'm entitled to it--and yes, I'm part of the evil MOB Pelosi warned you about.
We must Change! If the knuckle draggers(GOP) are so opposed to Gvmnt involvement in the future, where were they the last 28 yrs? The free market mantra of cheap energy and false economies(const. and casinos) is over! We must retool and redevelop our economy for the future. Elections have consequences. The Right Wing drove this country right in to a ditch! Lack of planning (industrial, energy,etc), had negative ramifications. We must evolve or perish! If the GOP takes over in 2012 or gets their way we will become a failed nation!
The cleanest energy we have today is nuclear. We haven't built a new plant in decades. Why should we think anyone like Gore with a vested interest in carbon trading and specific energy sources? He is tomorrows Exxon so why believe him?
It's kind of a no-brainer we need to diversify our local economy. Exhibit A: The four-point difference in Las Vegas's unemployment rate and Phoenix's. The difference between the cities? Phoenix has diversified; Las Vegas hasn't.
If we're going to diversify, why not green/renewable energy?
God knows we have the natural resources here. You'd actually be putting the hellish sun and pesky winds to work generating electricity. (And our community is even blessed with a limitless supply of thermal energy, with all of the hot air emanating from the Review-Journal's website commentators.) Why not strive to make Las Vegas a hub of renewable energy production, manufacturing and research?
This is the future. Even if global warming did not exist, fossil fuels are a finite resource. Eventually, we'll run out. And we'd better hope we have something to take its place when that happens.
Renewable energy isn't going anywhere. And if we manage to stake our claim at the cutting edge of this, we just might achieve some meaningful economic diversification -- and head off future meltdowns in the years and decades to come.
Fatso Gore looks like he generates a lot of warming all by himself. I'm really sick of fat people claiming to know how to fix the world's problems. They should initiate their remedies at home.
There will not be that many job greens.
The brand new solar plant southwest of Vegas is the biggest solar plant on the planet.
During construction it had about 100 full time employees for about 6 months. Many of the top playing jobs were imported from other states even other countries and once it was finished they went home.
Now the plant has about 10 full time employees and many of those top jobs were filled by people from other states and other countries.
The green job explosion is bogus.
It will be a tiny piece of the Nevada job picture.
One should not buy into that jack in a beanstalk story.
Baby Tark wants to use Yuca for "reprocessing" bad idea.
Hey Nick,
You wrote: "Hopefully these idiot protestors will drop dead in the heat!"
Which protesters do you want to drop dead in the heat? You had both sides there demonstrating their beliefs...
Clean energy is great
Medical reform is great
But, political reform would be the greatest...
Oh, by the way, my pockets are getting pretty empty with all "...we want it now programs."
Anybody got a nickel??
Here's what Bubba is saying, "If you suckers believe I pulled this out of my butt, then you'll fall for the whole global warming, climate change, and green energy scam.
red: did the daycare let you out early today?
Some things never change.....the right-wingers spend 98% of their time, energy, and effort knocking people such as Al Gore, and telling us that global warming is a hoax, and 2% of their time talking about how we can solve our energy debacle.......amazing.
It's the same with health care.....the right-wingers will tell you what is bad about the current Democrat plan, but you never hear them say what will work in the area of health care reform....
I'm still waiting for the so called Republican health plan to surface. Of course, I'm not holding my breath waiting for that to happen...
I've come to the conclusion that those who sleep over on the right believe that maintaining the status quo is progress and anything other than that is simply a "socialistic plot" to take over the country...
I haven't heard a new fresh idea from a right-winger in so long that I'm beginning to believe that maybe they've NEVER had a new fresh idea in their entire history....
The Republican Party, the party of "NO," continues to be stranded in the political wilderness with no real leadership and no road map to regaining political legitimacy.....
The present GOP came on the political scene, replacing the ole Whig Party, when the Whigs could no longer get their act together.....
History can and often does repeat itself!
lobita: if the blue dogs are any indication, the dems will disintegrate a lot sooner than the repubs.
... As a FORMER Vegas resident (TWICE), who started his print-journalism career 35+ yrs. ago at the R/J, it's NICE-to-KNOW you've got those FAKE-FOX-NEWS protestors about health care TOO! BOUGHT-&-PAID for by the CORRUPT Insurance corps.-&-GREEDY Pharamceutical co.'s!!! LMAO!!!
lots of heat on here - come on guys it is summer - this is when you are supposed to be cool, calm, and collected. Then maybe it would all work out - a calm discussion and compromise - not the noise in many of these comments! Ok, advance to the rear!
Appears that El Loco spends more then 98% of his time bashing those who have different political view then his.
I see that ShanFinal has got the FOX News itch... Every thing is FOX's fault, but can't explain why FOX has so many viewers.
Lets agree to disagree and keep an open mind...
Imagine there was no racism. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be out of income. That's why Al Gore creates his own income source. You know Gore didn't fly commercial here and neither did Clinton. According to NASA last month, it was announced that the ozone layer has been repaired. In 1991 when we were bombing Iraq thee first time, Bush 41 signed the "New Clean Air Act of 1991." This law directly went after CFC's and other solvents. (tri chlor and per chlor) I worked with the State of New Jersey to write the state law of implementation. It also went after groundwater contamination. That was a positive thing, but guys like Gore and other tree huggers don't know when enough is enough. No environmentalist wants any part of the chemical or refinery business in the USA. In their minds there can be no co-existence. This cap and tax was unnecessary. Henry Waxman was one of the authors of he 1991 bill, so why wasn't cap and tax introduced then? Because the law was designed to go after individual polluters as much as a region where chemical companies who pollute very little could trade credits with others in the same area that pollute more. Oil will be here forever whether we like it or not and thee more we produce the less we have to buy. I mounted a solar collector on the roof of my Ford Explorer but it didn't work well. Have to get back to watching Greta.
Yup, Clinton must be wrong. Out of office over 9 years later and still proving the conservative pedophile polygamist freaks wrong. Keep whining, babies.
Bill Clinton's claim of job creation in a green economy is about as truthful as his job creation was in the dotcom era under his presidency. That went up in "smoke" prior to George W taking office. Both Clinton and George W (and now Obama) failed to recognize that American middle class jobs are being farmed out due to global economics and market systems. It's inevitable that commodes, clothes dryers, and other durable goods will be all be made overseas, and our factories shut down. The middle class (70-100K a year type of people) is being whittled down by globalization and only the public sector union employees will be left in the 70K-100K a year category when this decade is history. Better get your kids used to it, or become an entrepreneur and start a business for them.
Since the turn of the century we have been mislead to believe fossil fuels are our only Industrial choice. Granted a poster above (neiman1)concludes that nuclear is the cleanest alternative. Big money and big business has had an active hand for years in quashing any attempt to spread out the reliance from one source. Tesla had it right but instead chose to save George Westinghouse and died broke and forgotten. There are technologies out there that can help solve a large amount of these issues but our government has been protecting that good ol' boy network. Their reasons go to the grave with them as we fight amongst ourselves and other less restricted countries steal our ideas and technologies. It's a system that they depend on to keep us in check. I believe in seeing it for myself to believe it and I have seen the inventor(s) and the product. What you can't see is it getting to the American Public. Cars that WILL run on water (hydrogen), brown gas from anything organic, generators that when hooked up to "the grid" that produce more power than they use. Of course you'll scoff as did I at first. But then I saw it for myself.I also grew up down the street in Las Vegas from one of the inventors. Union Electrician out at the Test Site. Had an old Fiat with an electric motor. Ran off batteries and magnets.It ran the car, charged the batteries and was self contained. Patent expired in 1998, I looked it up. We are just too lazy/ opinionated as Americans to accept change easily nor do anything about it....
Ever hear of a pre-ignition catalytic convertor?
You will soon enough!!!!! If they can ever get past the EPA.
For those who believe nuclear is a good alternative see here:
http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid467.php
And here:
http://www.grist.org/article/nuclear-det...
Isn't knowledge great!
Mr. Clinton has been advocating Nevada green energy for years - this is nothing new to him. He is absoulutely correct and we need to take heed. Our economy must diversify and this seems like a great place to start.