electrical grids
America’s Power Grid: Poised for Change
At CBD we have been talking a lot about the state of energy in America, and how technology is pionering a sweeping change in how people use/monitor/get/view just about everything.
NPR just released a really good interactive map that shows how we generate power in America and transmit it to consumers. The map shows our current electrical grid, where there’s solar and wind power available, a breakdown of each state’s power sources and numerous grid improvement proposals.
Revisit History and Improve its Outcome
History does seem to repeat itself, though there’s no assurance the outcome will be the same.
U.S. President-elect Obama has pledged to boost the economy with the single largest new investment in U.S. infrastructure since the 1950s when President Eisenhower created the interstate highway system. Obama believes it’s critically important for the nation to rebuild its highways, bridges, roads, ports, air and train systems. Expectations include big spending on electrical grids, public transportation, dams and alternative fuels. The cost analysts estimate a range of $700 billion to $1 trillion and the creation of 2.5 million jobs. If this plan goes through, a long-suffering U.S. manufacturing industry may stand to benefit.
For well over a century, the United States manufacturing industry has been a global leader. In recent years, the “brain drain” of talent, labor and material outsourcing to other countries has greatly damaged a pivotal and prosperous U.S. workforce.
If our country truly follows the path Obama has proposed, this may be America’s second chance to reinvigorate what was once the core of its burgeoning economy. It may however require a fundamental shift in corporate practices for our country to reap the full benefits.
Perhaps, today’s business leaders can literally follow Obama’s plan by not only creating jobs for workers but specifically bringing back to our country the strategic positions that have been outsourced in recent years. Companies can dip into the current unemployment pool and have their choice of highly qualified people with hard-earned engineering and technology degrees. Their knowledge and skill is most important to us as we plan and implement infrastructure improvements.
Groundbreaking news or not, maybe this is an opportunity, long overdue, to rebuild a loyalty to company, industry, and country, all of which has been tarnished in recent times.
What do you think the outcome will be?
