T Supplement - Brovero

Gonzaga Debate Institute 2008 1
Brovero/Lundeen/Moczulski Topicality
Topicality Supplement Index
Topicality Supplement Index...........................................................................................................1
The Resolution.................................................................................................................................2
Resolved...........................................................................................................................................3
USFG...............................................................................................................................................5
Should..............................................................................................................................................6
Substantially Increase = Double......................................................................................................7
Substantially Means 10%.................................................................................................................8
AT: Substantially..............................................................................................................................9
Increase = Add to existing.............................................................................................................10
Increase = Make greater.................................................................................................................11
No Clear Definition of Alternative Energy....................................................................................13
“Renewable” is Superior- C/P Solvency........................................................................................14
“Renewable” doesn’t include Nuclear...........................................................................................15
“Renewable” doesn’t include Hydrogen........................................................................................17
Renewable Definitions...................................................................................................................18
***Alternative Energy = Non-Fossil Fuels, Non-Nuclear............................................................19
Alternative Energy = Non-Fossil Fuels.........................................................................................20
Alternative Energy = Non-Traditional...........................................................................................21
Alternative Energy = Not Popularly Used.....................................................................................22
Alternative Energy = Environmentally Benign.............................................................................23
Energy vs. Fuel..............................................................................................................................24
Alternative Energy/Alternative Fuels are Distinct.........................................................................25
Alternative Energy includes Alternative Fuels..............................................................................27
Alternative Fuels Definitions.........................................................................................................28
Compressed Natural Gas/GTL is Alternative Energy....................................................................29
Coal is not Alternative Energy.......................................................................................................31
Coal is Alternative Energy.............................................................................................................33
Coal Waste is Alternative Energy..................................................................................................34
Ethanol = Fossil Fuels....................................................................................................................36
Ethanol/Biodiesel is Alternative....................................................................................................37
Hydroelectric isn’t Alternative Energy..........................................................................................38
Hydrogen is Alternative Energy.....................................................................................................39
Hydrogen is not Alternative Energy..............................................................................................40
Nanotech Spurs Alternative Energy...............................................................................................41
Nuclear is Alternative Energy........................................................................................................44
Nuclear Fusion is Alternative Energy............................................................................................46
Nuclear isn’t Alternative Energy....................................................................................................47
Oil Shale is Alternative Energy......................................................................................................51
Oil Sands are not Alternative Energy.............................................................................................52
Recaptured Heat/Steam is Alternative Energy...............................................................................53
Tar Sands are Alternative Energy...................................................................................................54
Incentives- Spur to action..............................................................................................................55
Incentives must be Positive............................................................................................................56
Incentives distinct from Disincentives...........................................................................................59
Disincentives are Negative, Prevent Action...................................................................................60
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade................................................................................................62
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade – Aff Interp Unlimiting.........................................................65
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade- Incentives distinct from Command/Control........................67
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade- Incentives distinct from Command/Control........................68
AT: Revenue Invested in Alternative Energy.................................................................................69
Disincentives Link- Carbon Tax....................................................................................................70
Incentives can be Positive or Negative..........................................................................................71
Alternative Energy Incentives include Research Grants................................................................73
Alternative Energy Incentives include Tax Credits.......................................................................74
Alternative Energy Incentives include Prizes................................................................................75
Alternative Energy Incentives include Energy Efficiency/Conservation......................................76
United States..................................................................................................................................77
List of Incentives Mechanisms......................................................................................................78
List of Federal Incentives...............................................................................................................79
AT: Your list only includes ‘selected’ Federal incentives..............................................................81
List of Federal Alternative Fuels Incentives..................................................................................82
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THIS FILE:

The Scholars initial file has a bunch of pre-written violations, if that is what you are looking for.
You should make sure you are carrying that as well. If you wish to read the “Alternative” or
“Renewable” energy counterplan, or read case turns based on a particularly nasty kind of
alternative energy, you can use the definitions in this file as links, and the impact work from the
Alternative Technologies toolbox file, Nuclear Power file, CTL Negative, etc. The lists at the
end are meant to help construct “case lists” for you Topicality overviews.
The Resolution
Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase alternative
energy incentives in the United States.
Resolved
OED Online, 2nd Edition
(www.oed.com, accessed 9/17/07)
Resolved, ppl. a,
1. Of persons: Determined, decided, settled in purpose. Also const. with inf., that, etc.
1520 HEN. VIII in Lett. Kings Eng. (Halliw.) I. 246 Whereunto..none of our..ancestors were ever
so..determinate resolved as we be at this time. 1560 J. DAUS tr. Sleidane's Comm. 6 He was fully resolved to
stire up no further disputation. 1611 BIBLE Luke xvi. 4, I am resolued what to doe. 1687 T. BROWN Saints
in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 83, I am resolved to undeceive mankind. 1737 BERINGTON Mem. G. de Lucca
(1738) 51 These Considerations made me as good as resolv'd to go along with him. 1760-2 GOLDSM. Cit.
W. xxvii, He was resolved they should have learning. 1819 SHELLEY Cenci III. i. 341 That word parricide,
Although I am resolved, haunts me like fear. 1847 C. BRONTË J. Eyre xxxv, He was in deep earnest,
wrestling with God, and resolved on a conquest.
b. Const. with for, against, from, of (= on).
1582 T. WATSON Cent. of Love xcvi, I liue secure,.. Fully resolu'd from louing any more. 1639 FULLER
Holy War IV. xvii. 198 About this time many thousands of the English were resolved for the Holy warre.
1641 W. MOUNTAGU in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 289 The Temple is resolved of a
Christmas. 1659 HAMMOND On Ps. 610 My enemies are maliciously resolved against me.
2. Convinced, satisfied. Obs.
1577 WHETSTONE Gascoigne ii, Yet trust me frends.., I am resolu'd, I neuer liu'd til now. 1595 RALEIGH
Discov. Guiana (1887) 106 For mine own part I am resolved it is true. 1608 MIDDLETON Trick to catch
Old One III. i, Since you are so well resolved of my faith toward you. 1719 D'URFEY Pills (1872) III. 97
Being well resolved that none Could see her Nakedness.
3. a. Of the mind, etc.: Freed from doubt or uncertainty; fixed, settled. Obs.
1497 Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 110 Our fynal and resolved mynde is that ye obteyne al thes articles
comprised in the second parte. 1578 BANISTER Hist. Man v. 82 To passe this point with a cleare resolued
mynde. 1643 SIR T. BROWNE Relig. Med. I. §3, I could never perceive..that a resolved conscience may not
adore her Creator anywhere. 1660 N. INGELO Bentiv. & Ur. II. (1682) 76 It is difficult to suppose that he
hath any resolved thoughts concerning God.
b. Of actions, states of mind, etc.: Fully determined upon, deliberate.
1595 SHAKES. John II. i. 585 From a resolu'd and honourable warre, To a most base and vile-concluded
peace. 1638 A. READ Chirurg. xxxi. 230 A doubtfull hope is better than a resolved despaire. 1694
KETTLEWELL Comp. for Penitent 92 Confess them to him with a resolved aversion: being resolved in heart
to forsake all. a1716 SOUTH Serm. (1744) X. 185 A settled, constant, resolved living in sin. 1890 ‘R.
BOLDREWOOD’ Miner's Right (1899) 13/1 A great and often resolved scheme.
c. Deliberately adopted or accepted. Obs.
1659 RUSHW. Hist. Coll. I. 176 They shew that some of the Opinions which offended many, were no other
then the resolved Doctrine of this Church.
d. That has been decided on.
1748 RICHARDSON Clarissa (1811) VIII. 273 Not a resolved-on case.
4. Of persons, the mind, etc.: Characterized by determination or firmness of purpose; resolute.
1586 MARLOWE 1st Pt. Tamburl. I. ii, What strong enchantments tice my yielding soul To these resolved,
noble Scythians. 1612 DRAYTON Poly-olb. viii. 272 Brave Voadicia made with her resolued'st men To
Virolam. 1681 H. MORE Postscr. to Glanvill's Sadducismus (1726) 17 Of whom he is sworn Advocate and
resolved Patron, right or wrong. 1749 FIELDING Tom Jones XVI. iv, Here stands your resolved daughter.
1816 SCOTT Antiq. i, The hat pulled over his resolved brows. 1856 FROUDE Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 207
Men of..broad resolved temper.
Comb. 1890 ‘R. BOLDREWOOD’ Col. Reformer (1891) 202 A subdued, bronzed, resolved-looking man.
b. Confirmed (in some practice or course). Obs.
1614 RALEIGH Hist. World II. (1634) 183 A nation of valiant and resolved Idolaters. 1692 BENTLEY
Boyle Lect. ii. 32 No wonder the resolved Atheists do so labour and bestir themselves to fetch Sense and
Perception out of the Power of Matter.
Resolved
c. Openly or sincerely attached to some party or body. Obs.
1647 CLARENDON Hist. Reb. VI. §261 Which drove all resolved men from their houses into York, where
they only could be safe. 1657 BAXTER Present Thoughts 33 The one sort were never hearty resolved
Christians. 1732 NEAL Hist. Purit. I. 55 A yoke which some of the most resolved Protestants could not bear.
5. Melted, dissolved. Obs.
1582 T. WATSON Cent. of Love lxxvii, Time brings a fludd from newe resolued snowe. 1666 BOYLE Orig.
Formes & Qual. 300 Dropping a little resolv'd salt of Tartar upon the solution of common Sublimate.
6. Of parts of the body: Soft, relaxed. Obs.
1576 BAKER Jewell of Health 162 The extenuation of resolved and weake members. 1650 BULWER
Anthropomet. 182 Lips are soft and resolved.
7. Separated, broken up, analysed.
1812 WOODHOUSE Astron. xxxiii. (1832) 682 One effect, from a resolved part of the
Sun's disturbing force. 1818 T. BUSBY Gram. Mus. 429 There is the resolved Canon, the
unresolved Canon. 1868 LOCKYER Guillemin's Heavens (ed. 3) 397 Another point of
resemblance between the resolved globular clusters, and the nebulæ of the same form.
USFG
United State government includes the executive, legislative, and judicial branch
Wordnet 3.0
(united states government. (n.d.). WordNet® 3.0. Retrieved September 17, 2007, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/united states government)
united states government

noun the executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the United States
Should
American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition, 2003
should (shŏŏd) Pronunciation Key

aux.v. Past tense of shall
1. Used to express obligation or duty: You should send her a note.

2. Used to express probability or expectation: They should arrive at noon.
3. Used to express conditionality or contingency: If she should fall, then so would I.
4. Used to moderate the directness or bluntness of a statement: I should think he would like to go.
Substantially Increase = Double
Substantially increase in the context of alternative energy incentives means double the
annual budget allocation
Stoel Rives- Attorneys at Law, Energy Law Alert, 4/6/06

(Legislation to Watch: S.2401 - "Alternative Energy Extender Act",
http://www.stoel.com/showalert.aspx?Show=2315)
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. Facilities qualifying for the PTC may also indirectly
benefit from the bill’s proposed extension of the date by which Clean Renewable Energy
bonds can be issued to construct such facilities. Created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005
("EPACT"), CREBs provide tax credits to the holders of bonds used to finance facilities
qualifying for the PTC. Instead of tax-free interest that is associated with traditional private
activity bonds issued by governments, bondholders receive a tax credit under Section 54 of
the Code that generally can be used to offset their tax liability from other sources. Under
current law, these bonds are required to be issued by December 31, 2007 to qualify for the
credit. S. 2401 would extend this deadline to December 31, 2010. Furthermore, the bill
would substantially increase the dollar volume cap on the bonds that can be issued under
the program. S. 2401 would retain the current aggregate $800 million limit for bonds
issued from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007, but would increase this cap in years
2008-2010 to $800 million per year.
NOTE:
January 1, 2006-December 31, 2007 = 2 years, aggregate total 800 Million, or 400 Million p/year
January 1, 2008-December 31, 2010 = 3 years, 800 Million p/year
Substantially Means 10%
Substantially means 10 percent
Responsibility Sharing Report 2000

[This Report presents the Department of Defense assessment of the relative contributions toward the common
defense and mutual security made by our NATO allies, our Pacific allies, (Japan and the Republic of Korea), and the
countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)., March,
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/allied_contrib2000/Allied2000-Chap-1.html]
NATO Allies. Fewer than half of our NATO allies experienced real reductions in their defense budgets in
1999, and, as a group, their real defense spending remained virtually unchanged from the 1998 level. Greece
and Turkey were the only NATO allies to achieve the Congressional defense spending objective in 1999.
Both nations spent roughly five percent of their GDP on defense, while the United States spent just over three
percent. Turkey also increased its defense spending-to-GDP ratio by over 25 percent in 1999 – far in excess
of the 10 percent Congressional requirement. Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom achieved the multinational military activities objective in
1999. All nine nations increased their personnel contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, and Greece,
Poland and Turkey also boosted their funding for UN peace missions. Furthermore, Germany increased its
contributions to NATO’s air Reaction Forces, while Poland and the United Kingdom contributed additional
units to the ground Reaction Forces, and Greece enlarged both its air and ground Reaction Forces
contingents. Six NATO allies met the Congressional foreign assistance target. Five of these: Belgium, the
Czech Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland and the United Kingdom, did so by making 1998 contributions
that were at least 10 percent higher than the 1997 level. The sixth, Denmark, did not substantially
increase its contributions, but met the target nonetheless by spending one percent of its GDP on foreign
assistance in 1998. Additionally, many NATO allies also contribute substantially to and participate
extensively in shared military roles, missions, and combined operations both within and beyond NATO. For
example, nearly 80 percent of troops serving in the Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and 85 percent of
the peacekeepers serving with the Kosovo Force (KFOR) are non-U.S. personnel. For further information on
the evolution of NATO allies’ military capabilities, refer to the classified Defense Capabilities Initiative
(DCI) Report, delivered to Congress on March 7, 2000 in response to section 1039 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106-65).
AT: Substantially
“Substantial” is an inherently flexible and imprecise term
Mellinkoff in 92
David Mellinkoff, Law Professor UCLA, 1992 (Mellinkoff’s Dictionary of American Legal Usage, p. 626).
substantial is as flexible in the law as in ordinary English. That is its reason for continued existence in the
law. Long use of substantial in combinations, e.g., substantial evidence, can produce impression of precision,
which is lacking. The word is an alert! What substantial fastens itself to becomes infected with substantial’s
flexibility. A place for discretion.
Increase = Add to existing
“Increase” means to add to what already exists.
Corpus Juris Secundum in 44

Corpus Juris Secundum, 1944, vol. 42, p. 546
“Increase” As a Verb. The term presupposes the existence in some measure, or to some extent, of something
which may be enlarged, connotes a change or alteration in the original, and has been defined as meaning to
extend or enlarge in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.
Increase = Make greater
Increase, V.
I. Intransitive senses.
1. To become greater in size, amount, duration, or degree; to be enlarged, extended, or intensified; to wax, grow.
{alpha} 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 958 {Th}er glory & blysse schal euer encres. c1380 WYCLIF Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 19
Goostly feeste shulde encreese. c1386 CHAUCER Clerk's Prol. 50 The Poo..That Estward ay encresseth in his
cours. 1398 TREVISA Barth. De P.R. v. lxiii. (Bodl. MS.), {Th}e more {th}e fatnes encrese{th} and waxi{th}. 1594
SHAKES. Rich. III, IV. iii. 48 Still his power encreaseth. 1628 SIR W. MURE Spir. Hymne 101 Without thee,
Lord,..Heaven's glorious courts had neere encrest [rimes blest, invest, prest, rest, addrest]. 1774 GOLDSM. Nat.
Hist. (1776) I. 76 In mines..the cold seems to encrease from the mouth as we descend. 1825 LINGARD Hist. Eng.
VI. 3 As the danger of the queen encreased.
{beta} c1440 Promp. Parv. 261/1 Increse, or grow or wax more. c1460 Towneley Myst. viii. 177 Thare comforth
shall euer increasse [rimes peasse, seasse, measse]. a1553 UDALL Royster D. IV. iii. (Arb.) 65 In case this strife
increace. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 83 Quhilk ay incressis moir and moir. 1662 STILLINGFL. Orig. Sacr. III.
iii. §8 As corruption increased in the world. 1736 BUTLER Anal. I. i. (1884) 23 Drowsiness, increasing till it ends in
sound sleep. 1864 TENNYSON Victim iii, His beauty still with his years increased.
2. To grow in numbers, become more numerous or frequent, to multiply; esp. by propagation.

{alpha} c1315, SHOREHAM 72 No stren may non encressy Wythoute flesches loste. 1377 LANGL. P. Pl. B. XI.
389 And bad euery creature in his kynde encrees. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 86 Many small graynes of corne
may growe and encrease to fyll a great garner. 1642 ROGERS Naaman 557 Hypocrites encrease. 1722 DE FOE
Plague (1884) 11 The Burials encreased. 1798 FERRIAR Illustr. Sterne i. 4 Materials have encreased on my hands.
{beta} 1530 PALSGR. 590/2 It is a straunge thynge that one grayne shulde increase thurty. 1590 SPENSER F.Q. III.
vi. 34 The mighty word,..That bad them to increase and multiply. 1667 MILTON P.L. IV. 748 Our Maker bids
increase, who bids abstain But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man? 1727-38 GAY Fables I. xxxix. 29 He feels no
joy, his cares increase. 1855 TENNYSON Maud III. ii, And watch her harvest ripen, her herd increase.
3. To become greater in some specified quality or respect; to grow or advance in.

1388 WYCLIF Acts xvi. 5 The chirches..encreseden in noumbre eche dai. 1513 BRADSHAW St. Werburge I. 1705
Dayly encreasynge in worshyp and renowne. 1526 TINDALE Luke ii. 52 Iesus increased in wisdom and age, and in
favoure with god and man. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 146 Lat vs incres in lufe of the. 1662 STILLINGFL.
Orig. Sacr. III. iv. §12 Daily increasing in numbers and power. 1814 MISS O'KEEFE Zenobia II. 112 He became
subject to His parents and encreased in stature and in wisdom. 1871 L. MORRIS Songs two Worlds Ser. I. Rich &
Wise (1872) 100 In wit and wealth do I increase.
Increase = Make greater

Increase, V.
6. a. To cause to wax or grow; to make greater in amount or degree; to augment, enlarge, extend, intensify.
{alpha} 13.. K. Alis. 1437 His ost he encresed with six thousynd Of noble knyghtis. c1386 CHAUCER Knt.'s T. 457
And yet encresseth this al my penaunce. c1491 CAXTON Chast. Goddes Chyld. 69 Ryches encreaseth auaryce in a
couetous man as drinke encreseth thurst in a man that hathe the dropesie. 1579 LYLY Euphues (Arb.) 97 It
encreaseth my sorrow and thy shame. 1611 BIBLE Lev. xxv. 16 Thou shalt encrease the price thereof. 1747
WESLEY Prim. Physic (1762) 57 It may be encreased or lessened according to the strength of the Patient. 1822 J.
IMISON Sc. & Art II. 37 The combustion will proceed with a splendour much encreased.
{beta} c1440 Promp. Parv. 261/1 Incresyn, or moryn, augeo. c1450 Cov. Myst. xxxii. (Shaks. Soc.) 326 Now is my
care wel more incressyd! [rime dressyd]. a1553 UDALL Royster D. Prol. (Arb.) 10 Mirth increaseth amitie. 1611
BIBLE Eccl. i. 18 Hee that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. 1732 ARBUTHNOT Rules of Diet 262 Such
things as increase its Velocity. 1878 JEVONS Prim. Pol. Econ. 73 Wages are increased by increasing the produce of
labour, not by decreasing the produce.
b. (See quot. 1957.)

1840 J. GAUGAIN Lady's Assistant 96 Increase a stitch on each wire, by knitting the last stitch in the common way;
knit it again from the back part of the loop (this is the way to increase without making a hole). 1872 Young
Englishwoman Nov. 607/1 The increasing and decreasing may..take place at the ends or in the middle of the work.
In increasing in the middle, the increase is effected by taking up stitches. 1944 A. THIRKELL Headmistress iii. 60
They..had to take off all the stitches and unravel back to where they ought to have begun increasing and pick up all
the stitches again. 1957 M. B. PICKEN Fashion Dict. 182/2 Increase, in knitting, crocheting, tatting, etc., to add to
number of stitches in row, pattern, or round so as to enlarge the piece. 1971 Vogue's Guide to Crochet 14 Increasing
a stitch means adding a stitch, and decreasing a stitch means losing it. Ibid., Care must be taken not to decrease or
increase in such a way as to leave an uneven edge.
7. a. To make more numerous, augment the number of, multiply.

1382 WYCLIF Ecclus. I. 24 That encreside oure da{ygh}es fro the wombe of oure moder. c1386 CHAUCER Melib.
{page}774 Sweete wordes multiplien and encreesen [v.r. encrescen] freendes. 1552 Bk. Com. Prayer, Litany,
Encrease the fruites of the yearth. 1611 BIBLE Jer. xxix. 6 Take ye wiues..that ye may bee increased there. 1788
COWPER Negro's Compl. i, To increase a stranger's treasures.
{dag}b. To make fruitful; to cause to yield increase. Obs. nonce-use.

1697 DRYDEN Virg. Georg. I. 27 Come all ye Gods and Goddesses that wear The rural Honours, and increase the
Year.
8. To make greater in some specified quality or respect. Const. in, also formerly with. Now rare or Obs.
1421 SIR H. LUTTRELL in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. II. I. 86, I pray unto God of hys grace encresce {ygh}ow in
worship, prosperite, and perfit ioye. 1526 TINDALE Rev. iii. 17 Thou sayst thou arte riche and incresyd with
gooddes, and haste nede off nothinge. 1700 DRYDEN Iliad I. 372 Believe a friend with thrice your years increas'd.
No Clear Definition of Alternative Energy
Alternative energy is not a consistent or unified concept—it can’t be defined by a
particular set of properties.
Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

(Christopher A, Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, and Social Feasibility, p.41)
The Pennsylvania statue illustrates the capacity of government to narrowly or broadly define alternative
energy. Alternative energy cannot be assumed to have certain properties, such as zero greenhouse gas
emissions or complete disassociation from hydrocarbon energy sources. At the federal level, the expansion of
nuclear energy policy has been proposed as a form of alternative energy, replacing the use of hydrocarbons in
to produce electrical or thermal energy. What is alternative energy? Simply put, it is not a unified concept.
The lack of clarity and consistency in definition, however, provides an opportunity for individuals and groups
considering alternative energy sources for their communities, states, or nation. The lack of rigidity in
definition reflects the likelihood that perspectives on alternative energy will be more likely related to a search
process focusing on energy alternatives.
“Renewable” is Superior- C/P Solvency
“Renewable” is a superior term—it includes only sustainable energies; the definition of
alternative is more ambiguous and subject to manipulation.
Envocare 2007
(http://www.envocare.co.uk/renewable_energy.htm, Last Updated, 4/17/07, Accessed 7/17/08)
Several Energy Suppliers offer consumers a part in the greening of society by deriving their energies (at
least in part) from renewable or alternative sources and in some cases they will support environmentally
friendly projects. The terms renewable and alternative do not necessarily mean the same thing but the
distinction is blurred. There are two main objectives in this context, the most obvious of which is to reduce
the net emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon. The other is that the resources should remain
constant and not run out in any foreseeable future.
'Renewable' energy implies that it is derived from a source which is automatically replenished or one that is
effectively infinite so that it is not depleted as it is used. The term 'Alternative' refers to energy sources which
could replace coal, traditional gas and oil or their close derivatives, all of which increase the atmospheric
carbon when burned as fuel.
Coal, Traditional Gas and Oil are not renewable because, although the fields may last for generations their
time span is quite finite and we are aware that they will run out eventually.
Care has to be taken when using the term alternative energy. For example electricity as a power source for
cars would normally be thought of as alternative, but if you have to charge the batteries from the mains and
the power station that supplies your electricity is coal fired then that is not a renewable source (neither is it
strictly alternative). Similarly Ethanol as an alternative fuel to petrol (gasoline) could be derived from
petroleum or from energy crops; if the former it is not renewable but from crops it is. If you burn logs, do
you also plant trees (or use timber from the waste stream)? If so, that's not bad, but otherwise you contribute
to global warming. There are many other examples.
It is evident why the terms alternative and renewable are often considered to be interchangeable but why the
concepts are sometimes ambiguous. However, we feel that the term 'renewable' is preferable and any
sources that are renewable are also alternative.
Basically, renewables derive their existence from the sun with a little help from the moon, and until the
sun goes out and the moon falls the associated energies will always be there for us to use.
“Renewable” doesn’t include Nuclear
Nuclear energy is not a renewable
Energy World Online 2007

(“Nuclear Power is not a Renewable Energy” 1/31/2007,
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=47296)
The letter's signers write: "Please be advised that nuclear power is neither a renewable nor a clean source
of energy. For that matter, oil, coal, and natural gas are also not renewable or clean sources of energy.
"Nuclear power and fossil fuels are environmentally polluting and non-renewable sources of energy that
produce long-term radioactive wastes and/or greenhouse gas emissions. "The primary renewable sources of
energy are biomass (e.g., biofuels, biopower), geothermal, solar, water (e.g., hydropower, tidal, wave,
ocean currents), and wind."
Recent state House decisions prove – in policy making nuclear power is not defined as a
renewable
Fretwell 2/6/2008
(Sammy, Staff Writer “House: Nuclear Energy Not Renewable” The S.C State Today,
http://thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2008/02/house-nuclear-e.html)
The S.C. House defeated a plan today to define nuclear power as a “renewable” form of energy after
conservationists complained that it could set back efforts to develop solar, wind and other alternative energy
sources. A compromise presented by Rep. Ben Hagood, R-Charleston, avoided a potentially lengthy floor
debate between proponents of nuclear energy and those who oppose it. Many lawmakers favor nuclear power
as a way to limit pollution that adds to global warming. But by a 114-0 vote, the House agreed it wasn’t
worth including nuclear in the definition of renewable energy. Had nuclear been included, conservationists
say South Carolina could have had more difficulty getting federal or state support for entrepreneurs in
solar, wind, biofuels or other types of businesses. Some people advocate research and development of
alternative forms of energy to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. Among those is Columbia
businessman Erik Lensch, who sells solar products.
“Renewable” doesn’t include nuclear fission.
Ocheltree, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2008

(Matthew, “Energy Issue Brief”, January 29,
http://www.globalization101.org/index.php?file=issue&pass1=subs&id=341, Accessed 7/17/08)
Renewable energy sources are not exactly the same as alternative energy sources. Alternative energy is a
broader category encompassing all non-fossil-fuel-based energy sources and processes, of which renewable
energies are only a part. Forms of alternative energy not covered under the renewable label include hydrogen
power and fission power. Since current levels of hydrogen and fission power generation are extremely low,
renewable energies are now of greater interest to us.
“Renewable” doesn’t include Nuclear
Uranium is not renewable.
Sklar 2006
(Scott, President of The Stella Group in Washington, DC – A distributed energy marketing and policy firm, “Is
Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy?” 10/13/2006, Renewable Energy World Online,
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=46237)
Donna, You are probably referring to the President's remarks at USDA and USDOE's conference in St. Louis
this week. I will attach the link below to the full text of his speech. Now, to your question. While The
President should be lauded for his recent State of the Union speech supporting solar, wind, biofuels, and
plug-in hybrids -- others in The Administration have been making a concerted effort to integrate nuclear and
clean coal into renewable programs -- specifically hydrogen RD&D, but others as well. The nuclear industry
has been on an aggressive campaign to paint itself as the answer to climate change emissions mitigation. But
as we all know, uranium is not renewable, is imported, and the waste from the process has thousands of
years of storage requirements -- and as the National Academy of Sciences reported, pooled nuclear storage
sites are subject to terrorism. Coal, as well, has its challenges, as a new rule approved by The Administration
allows companies to 'blow off' mountaintops in West Virginia harming farmland and waterways. Coal wastes
and slag are still a major problem, and our taxpayer dollars still pay for black and brown lung benefits to coal
miners. Attempts to capture carbon are still in its infancy and the costs surpass renewables. Many
environmental and health experts are questioning the unregulated emissions, such as mercury, regarding the
negative impact on immune systems of people and animals. Neither coal nor nuclear can be considered
renewable or clean, when compared to the emissions or wastes from energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies.
“Renewable” doesn’t include Hydrogen
Hydrogen is alternative, but it’s not renewable

Renewable Definitions
Renewable energy includes the following –
National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2006

(“NREL, Universities Hail Renewable Energy ‘Collaboratory’ Bill” News Release NR – 1806, June 8th 2006
http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2006/438.html)
Renewable energy includes a broad range of current and potential energy sources, including solar and
wind energy; biofuels that can be produced from agricultural crops and forest products such as ethanol and
biodiesel; geothermal energy from beneath the Earth's surface for heating and cooling; hydrogen fuel cells;
and other emerging technologies. Federal, state and private investments in renewable energy research are
increasing rapidly.
Renewable energy includes the following 7 things -
Office of Geographic and Demographic Analysis 2008

(Department of Admininistration for Minnesota, “Minnesota Milestones: Measures That Matter” July 8th 2008
http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/mm/indicator.html?Id=56&G=39&CI=56)
About this indicator: With slight fluctuations, the percentage of Minnesota's energy coming from local,
renewable sources has risen from 4.1 percent in 1990 to 6.1 percent in 1999. Renewable energy includes
hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, wood and wood waste, other plant matter, municipal solid waste
and landfill gases. Greater reliance on renewable sources of energy inside Minnesota could dramatically
reduce air and water pollution, lower regulatory costs and lead to greater energy stability. Data for this
indicator does not differentiate among energy sources
Renewable energy includes solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal energy.
Environmental Protection Agency 2008

(“Green Power Defined” July 17th, 2008, http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/gpmarket/index.htm)
Renewable energy includes resources that rely on fuel sources that restore themselves over short periods of
time and do not diminish. Such fuel sources include the sun, wind, moving water, organic plant and
waste material (biomass), and the earth’s heat (geothermal). Although the impacts are small, some
renewable energy technologies have an impact on the environment. For example, large hydroelectric
resources can have environmental trade-offs associated with issues such as fisheries and land use.
***Alternative Energy = Non-Fossil Fuels, Non-Nuclear
The most predictable definition of alternative energy in the context of federal incentives is
power from non-fossil fuel, non-nuclear sources.

(Christopher A, Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, and Social Feasibility, p. 39-40)
The federal definition of alternative energy is best summarized by Title 26, chapter 79, § 7701 of the revised
U.S. Code: “the term ‘alternative energy facility’ means a facility for producing electrical or thermal energy
if the primary energy source for the facility is not oil, natural gas, coal, or nuclear power.” The primary
purpose of this definition relates to the issuance of tax credits to “alternative energy facility[ies],” which meet
certain standards as defined in Title 26, chapter 1, §48 “Energy Credit.” Tax credits are one method by which
the federal government encourages the private sector to make certain economic choices; in the case of energy
policy, this definition of alternative energy will have a definitive impact on how alternative energy will be
defined by those individuals and corporate bodies seeking federal recognition (and benefit) by adopting a
particular definition of alternative energy. Many state definitions of alternative energy closely follow federal
definitions. Case law confirms that federal guidelines supercede state-level guidelines. Federal standards also
impact the state and local receipt of alternative energy grants, subsidies, and tax exemptions. It is reasonable,
therefore, that state and local definitions would be consistent with federal energy policy. Consistency
between federal and state definitions does not mean that there are not a few variations. In many ways,
variation at the state level illustrates the dynamic and evolving alternative energy paradigm, which is by no
means unique to the U.S. policy process.
Alternative Energy = Non-Fossil Fuels
Alternative energy is non-fossil fuels
Information Architects Glossary, Online Environmental Dictionary, No Date

(http://www.iagreen.com/glossary.htm, accessed 7-4-08)
Alternative Energy: Energy from a source other than the conventional fossil-fuel sources of oil, natural
gas and coal (i.e., wind, running water, the sun). Also referred to as "alternative fuel."
Alternative energy excludes fossil fuels
Earthpace LLC, Environmental Consulting Services 2007

(http://www.earthpace.com/resources/energy/index.html, Accessed 7/17/08)
Alternative energy does not include energy resources derived from fossil fuels, waste products from fossil
sources, or waste products from inorganic sources. The key element separating these sources of energy from
renewable sources is that they cannot be regenerated in as short a period of time as the other sources.
Renewable energy sources also offer self-sufficient alternatives to fossil fuels. Renewable energy is typically
harvested domestically, which reduces the reliance on the often politically charged fossil fuel trade.
Alternative energy must be environmentally safe and not in popular usage, which excludes
fossil fuels.
National Resources Defense Council Glossary of Environmental Terms, No Date

(http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp, Accessed 4.2.2008)
alternative energy - energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or
wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).
Alternative energy is non-fossil fuel based- it’s interchangeable with renewables.
Minerals Management Service, U.S. Dept of the Interior, 2008

(http://www.mms.gov/offshore/AlternativeEnergy/Definitions.htm, "Renewable Energy and Alternate Uses:
Definitions", Last Updated: 03/27/2008, 12:42:17 PM, Accessed 4.2.2008)
Alternative energy: Fuel sources that are other than those derived from fossil fuels. Typically used
interchangeably for renewable energy. Examples include: wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal energy.
Alternative energy must be from a renewable, naturally generated source.
Encarta 2007
(http://au.encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861685963/alternative_energy.html, Accessed 7/17/08)
alternative energy
noun
Definition:
naturally generated energy source: any form of energy obtained from the Sun, wind, waves, or other natural
renewable source, in contrast to energy generated from fossil fuels
Alternative Energy = Non-Traditional
‘Alternative’ means energy from nontraditional sources.
Responding To Climate Change, 2007

(This glossary was reproduced from the Climate Change Update from the National Safety Council’s Environmental
Health Center (EHC) under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
http://www.rtcc.org/2007/html/glossary.html, Accessed 4.2.2008)
Alternative energy - energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural
gas, solar, hydroelectric, wind).
Alternative is non-traditional power generation
Climal.com, Climate News Database, No Date

(“Alternative and Renewable Energy”, http://www.climal.com/alternative-renewable-energy.php, Accessed 7/17/08)
Alternative and Renewable Energy
Alternative energy refers to those methods of generating heat and electricity that are not part of traditional
power generation. These are not necessarily renewable forms of energy, as we want to promote debate on
some of the major energy issues in discussion at the moment, such as nuclear power, 'clean' coal, local
combined power and heat stations and hydrogen. Other examples of alternative energy include wind power,
solar power, geothermal power, hydroelectric power, wave power, tidal power and biofuels.
Alternative Energy = Not Popularly Used
“Alternative” means it is not popularly used in the squo.
National Resources Defense Council Glossary of Environmental Terms, No Date

(http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp, Accessed 4.2.2008)
alternative energy - energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or
wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).
Alternative Energy = Environmentally Benign
Alternative energy doesn’t harm the environment
Compact OED Online, 3rd Edition

(http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/alternativeenergy?view=uk, Accessed 4.2.2008)
alternative energy
• noun energy fuelled in ways that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.
Alternative energy doesn’t deplete natural resources
Wordnet 3.0
(http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=alternative%20energy, Accessed 4.2.2008)
Noun
* S: (n) alternative energy (energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the
environment)
Energy vs. Fuel
‘Fuel’ refers to potential energy which can be stored and transported.
Reed ’07
(Philip, Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ Edmunds.com, 8-30-2007, “Ethanol? Fuel cell? Biodiesel? An
Alternative Fuel Overview”, http://www.edmunds.com/advice/alternativefuels/articles/110054/article.html,
Accessed. 7/17/08)
Before we get to the specifics, let's clear up a related point. There is a big difference between "energy" and
"fuel," even though the terms are used interchangeably. While it is often said that we are in an "energy crisis,"
this isn't accurate. Energy exists all around us in many different forms. The problem is that energy needs to
be stored and transported as fuel. So, technically speaking, we should talk about a "fuel shortage," not an
"energy crisis."
Alternative Energy/Alternative Fuels are Distinct
Alternative Energy and Alternative Fuels are distinct.

(Christopher A, Alternative Energy: Political, Economic, and Social Feasibility, p. 39)
In this chapter, the book focuses on the scope of alternative energy, a concept that is often discussed but
rarely defined. It is difficult to define because the term is value laden. The Term “alternative energy” was the
subject of a recent gathering of scientists in Canada, but by the end of the conference, the definition remained
a work in progress; no definitive meaning was assigned (see CEA-NRCan 222). By defining the term, it is
not my purpose to intentionally exclude or include any particular form of energy. An understanding of the
concept is necessary to better understand the energy future in relation to technological, economic, and policy
feasibility of energy sources. Understanding the difference between alternative energy and alternative fuels is
an important distinction that must be made at this point.
Federal law is definitive on alternative fuels- includes ethanol, natural gas, hydrogen, and
coal-to-liquid.

Federal law is fairly definitive when it comes to alternative fuels. Alternative fuel issues are often tied
primarily to their primary use: transportation. Federal fuels policies bring together issues related to stored
energy sources and management, transportation infrastructure, and environmental quality regulations as well
as federal monies to state and local governments. The federal definition of alternative fuel is found in Title
42, chapter 77, §6374 of the U.S. Code:
The term “alternative fuel” means methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols; mixtures containing
85 percent or more (or such other percentage, but not less than 70 percent, as determined by the
Secretary, by rule, to provide for requirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle functions) by
volume of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels; natural gas;
liquefied petroleum gas; hydrogen; coal-derived fuels; fuels (other than alcohol) derived from
biological materials; electricity (including electricity from solar energy); and any other fuel the
Secretary determines, by rule, is substantially not petroleum and would yield substantial energy benefits
and substantial environmental benefits.
Alternative Energy/Alternative Fuels are Distinct
Grants and incentives are used to promote alternative energy, whereas alternative fuels
policies are centered on regulation and emissions standard.

It would seem fairly self-evident that energy sources could be used to generate electricity and that electricity
could be used for vehicle transportation purposes. Basic technicalities aside, potential use of an alternative
energy system is predominantly a function of economic incentives and regulations. In the case of alternative
energy, the costs associated with wind, solar, and geothermal energy have declined, particularly in relation to
the direct costs of fossil energy sources, making such energy sources economically feasible alternatives.
Additionally, energy regulations, such as PURPA (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978), have
increased the demand for alternative energy by requiring that “utilities … purchase power from small power
projects that [use] renewable sources of energy” (Bettelheim 2000:8).
Finally, grants and tax incentives, and the possibility of “net metering,” which allows alternative energy
producers to sell green power for use on the power grid, have made it more likely that businesses, local
governments, and individuals will develop alternative energy. Alternative fuels policies primarily employ
vehicle emissions standards to regulate the automobile industry, while agricultural subsidies, a form of
redistributive policy, are used to encourage farmers to grow corn for use in the production of ethanol. Taking
a broader definition of “alternative energy,” producer subsidies and tax incentive structures are used to
encourage fossil fuel processing to explore gas fields for methane and propane, as well as more efficiently
capture and use of coal field gases that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere – misallocated
energy resources.
Alternative Energy includes Alternative Fuels
Alternative energy includes transportation fuels other than gasoline and diesel—includes
nontraditional uses of traditional energy (gas) and future energy (hydrogent)
Warkentin-Glenn, Electric Power Industry Researcher, former Managing Editor of

Electric Light and Power and Energy Marketing magazines, 2006
(Denise, Electric Power Industry in Nontechnical Language, p. 30)
Alternative energy includes alternative fuels that are transportation fuels other than gasoline and diesel, even
when the type of energy, such as natural gas, is traditional. It also includes the use of traditional energy
sources, such as natural gas, in untraditional ways, such as for distributed energy at the point of use through
microturbines or fuel cells. Finally, it also encompasses future energy sources, such as hydrogen and fusion.
Alternative energy includes alternative fuels
GenGreen Foundation Glossary of Environmental Terms, 2008

(GenGreen is a non-profit Environmental Education Foundation, http://www.gengreen.org/node.php?nid=5150,
Accessed 7/16/2008)
Alternative energy - Substitutes for traditional, often non-renewable sources of energy such as oil and coal.
Alternative energy includes, but is not limited to solar, wind, and hydro power and mixtures of alcohol-based
fuels with methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, and other.
Alternative Fuels Definitions
Alternative fuels list—excludes MTBE and 10 percent ethanol blend
Energy Information Administraton Energy Glossary, 2/25/08

(Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Gov’t, “Energy glossary – A”,
http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/glossary_a.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
Alternative fuel: Alternative fuels, for transportation applications, include the following:
• methanol
• denatured ethanol, and other alcohols
• fuel mixtures containing 85 percent or more by volume of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other
alcohols with gasoline or other fuels -- natural gas
• liquefied petroleum gas (propane)
• hydrogen
• coal-derived liquid fuels
• fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials (biofuels such as soy diesel fuel)
• electricity (including electricity from solar energy.)
"... any other fuel the Secretary determines, by rule, is substantially not petroleum and would yield substantial
energy security benefits and substantial environmental benefits." The term "alternative fuel" does not include
alcohol or other blended portions of primarily petroleum-based fuels used as oxygenates or extenders, i.e.
MTBE, ETBE, other ethers, and the 10-percent ethanol portion of gasohol.
Alternative fuels include natural gas and fuel derived from biomass
Electro Industries Glossary of Energy Terms, 2008

(http://www.electromn.com/glossary/a.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
Alternative Fuels - A popular term for "non-conventional" transportation fuels derived from natural gas (propane,
compressed natural gas, methanol, etc.) or biomass materials (ethanol, methanol).
‘Alternative’ includes any fuels other than gas or diesel.
Reed ’07
(Philip, Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ Edmunds.com, 8-30-2007, “Ethanol? Fuel cell? Biodiesel? An
Alternative Fuel Overview”, http://www.edmunds.com/advice/alternativefuels/articles/110054/article.html,
Accessed. 7/17/08)
There is a lot of talk these days about "alternative fuels." But just what are these alternative fuels, and why is
everyone so excited about them?
In the simplest terms, an alternative fuel is any fuel other than gasoline or diesel. Since many alternative fuels
are also renewable — and can be produced here in the U.S. — they could reduce our dependence on foreign
oil.
Compressed Natural Gas/GTL is Alternative Energy
Alternative energy includes compressed natural gas.
EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 08

(“Glossary of Climate Change Terms”, January 11th, http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/glossary.html, accessed
7-3-08)
Alternative Energy Energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar,
hydroelectric, wind).5
GTL diesel is an alternative energy source.
Cook, June 3, 2007

(Van, Chemical Engineer, "Alternative Energy and Global Warming,
http://alternativeenergyglobalwarming.blogspot.com/, Accessed 4.2.2008)
Here, again, many energy experts would not define the GTL diesel as an alternative fuel source since the
diesel fuel is produced from conventional natural gas. However, the product fits my definition of alternative
energy source just fine since the product availability, in effect, allocates existing fuel resources more
efficiently. Also, natural gas is in more plentiful supply than crude oil, so converting the natural gas to a
useable liquid fuel makes good sense. It conserves the amount of available crude oil which is in very short
supply.
The definition of alternative energy has expanded to include LNG and coal gasification.
Hamerman 2007
(Joshua, Investment Dealers Digest, June 4, “Bulge Brackets See Green in Alternative
Energy”, http://www.iddmagazine.com, Accessed 7/17/08)
Andrew Safran, global head of energy, power and chemicals at Citigroup,

says of the industry, "The definition of alternative energy' has really expanded. It encompasses all the things
you traditionally think of - wind, solar, biodiesel - and also coal gasification, LNG (liquefied natural gas) and
emerging technologies being deployed around the globe to help solve the energy crisis by reducing
dependence on fossil fuels."
Compressed Natural Gas is Alternative
Alternative energy includes compressed natural gas.
GenGreen Foundation Glossary of Environmental Terms, 2008

(GenGreen is a non-profit Environmental Education Foundation, http://www.gengreen.org/node.php?nid=5150,
Accessed 7/16/2008)
Alternative energy - Substitutes for traditional, often non-renewable sources of energy such as oil and coal.
Alternative energy includes, but is not limited to solar, wind, and hydro power and mixtures of alcohol-based
fuels with methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, and other.
Alternative energy includes fuels derived from gas.
Electro Industries Glossary of Energy Terms, 2008

(http://www.electromn.com/glossary/a.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
Alternative Fuels - A popular term for "non-conventional" transportation fuels derived from natural gas (propane,
compressed natural gas, methanol, etc.) or biomass materials (ethanol, methanol).
Coal is not Alternative Energy
Majority of people understand alternative to exclude fossil fuels like coal- our interp. is
more predictable.
Loy, business reporter covering the Alaska oil and gas industry for the Anchorage Daily
News, 7/10/08
(Wesley, “$21 billion energy plan proposed; RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE: Inclusion of coal in projects
leaves some lawmakers less than happy”, Anchorage Daily News, pg. A1, Proquest)
But some lawmakers criticized the legislation, saying that most people understand renewable and alternative
energy to include wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal or biomass projects -- not coal.
"Coal is not renewable energy and by any fair definition it's not really alternative energy," said Rep. Les
Gara, an Anchorage Democrat.
Liquefied coal is not alternative—it reinforces dependence and destroys the environment
Stafford, Environmental Action Organizer, 2007

(“Defining Alternative Energy”, February 26, Http://www.environmental-
action.org/blog/archives/2007/02/defining_altern.html, Accessed 7/16/08)
One major danger with our nation's realization that we're addicted to oil is defining alternative energy
sources. For example, as Gov. Romney (MA) is starting his presidential bid, he's up in NH talking about
alternative energy sources. Unfortunately, his version of 'alternative energy' includes liquefied coal and
nuclear power.
The reality is that yes, we need alternatives to oil - but we fall into the old paradigms at our old peril. We
don't just need alternatives, we need smart alternatives. Liquefied coal and nuclear power will only get us
into the same old energy patterns - over dependence on one source of energy, and energy sources which
destroy environment and wreck our public health.
Coal is not Alternative Energy
State definitions of “alternative” are manipulated by local energy interests to include things
like coal— they are a departure from the narrower federal definitions.

State-level variation illustrates the role politics plays in shaping the alternative energy paradigm. State-energy
economic interests often impact the choices related to the adoption of alternative energy policies. For
example, in states with coal production, it is likely that interest groups representing fossil fuel industries and
environmental interests will square off, seeking to shape the regulation of energy uses and production as well
as the nature of redistributive policies intended to provide cleaner energy, the latter effectively benefiting
individuals and groups who may bear environmental and health costs associated with fossil fuel use. In some
cases, there are even different tiers or categories of “alternative energy,” depending on the source’s level or
shades of “greenness” (Mandelbaum and Brown 2004: 1).
Perhaps the most well-known recent example of very broadly defined and apparently “relaxed” standards for
the concept “alternative energy” comes from the state of Pennsylvania, which has effectively moved away
from more narrowly defined federal definitions. Adopted into law in November 2004, Pennsylvania Senate
Bill 1030 identifies energy sources and relates these sources to relative “greenness,” which is by implication
measure by the level of environmental emissions or potential for environmental harm. The alternative energy
greenness divides types into Tier I and Tier II alternative energy sources.
Tier I alternative energy sources are: (1) solar PV energy; (2) wind power; (3) low-impact hydropower; (4)
geothermal energy; (5) biologically derived methane gas, (6) fuel cells; (7) biomass energy; and (8) coal
mine methane. In scrutinizing these Tier I sources and the related definitions in the footnotes, the reader
might dispute their categorization as relatively low impact forms of energy. Coal mine methane and biomass
derived energy, for instance, produce greenhouse gases. Pennsylvania’s Tier II alternative energy resources
provide an even broader view when it comes to common associations with “green” energy. The second-tier
sources are as follows: (1) waste coal; (2) distributed generation systems; (3) demand-side management; (4)
large-scale hydropower; (5) municipal solid waste; (6) generation of electricity utilizing byproducts of the
pulping process and wood-manufacturing process, including bark, wood chips, sawdust, and lignin in spent
pulping liquors; and (7) integrated combined coal gasification technology
Coal is Alternative Energy
The current administration includes coal within its definition of alternative energy.
Montague, co-founder and director of Environmental Research Foundation (E.R.F.) in

Annapolis, 9/20/2007
(Peter, Rachel’s Democracy and Health News, Iss. 925, “The Coal Industry is in Deep Trouble”, ProQuest)
** Big Coal played a crucial role in getting George Bush elected, and Mr. Bush is loyal to a fault. The
President has said he wants the nation to adopt "alternative energy" - being careful not to say "renewable
energy." Coal fits the President's definition of "alternative" energy.
Pennsylvania’s “Alternative Portfolio Standard” proves that alternative is intentionally

broader than renewable, and includes nontraditional uses of coal.
Action PA: Pennsylvania's Environmental Justice Resource, 2004

(A PA-based research, organizing, and networking center for the grassroots environmental justice movement,
Accessed 4.2.2008, http://www.actionpa.org/cleanenergy/)
Pennsylvania's Act 213 is the first law of its type to blatantly include fossil fuels. In all other states, this sort
of law is called a "renewable" portfolio standard (RPS). In Pennsylvania, the term "renewable" was
intentionally replaced with "alternative" so that technologies that are clearly non-renewable could be
included.
Most "renewable" energy laws are bad enough, in that they include dirty (and often not-truly-renewable)
energy sources through the definition of "biomass." Biomass has been defined to include the incineration of
anything from landfill gas to crops to animal waste and even municipal solid waste (trash).
Act 213 includes these dirty so-called "renewable" energy sources and goes much further, allowing the
burning of waste coal, gasified coal and coal-mine methane to qualify. Coal-mine methane is even allowed to
compete with wind in Tier I (the less dirty tier). Through its inclusion of pumped storage hydropower (the
use of electricity to pump water to the top of a dam just to let it back down later, wasting energy in the
process), normal system power (primarily coal, nuclear and natural gas) can earn Tier II credits. The Public
Utility Commission is interpreting the definition of "distributed generation" in Tier II to allow fossil fuels
such as diesel or natural gas generators and other on-site, small scale electric generators, using any fuel.
While it won't be used due to cost, the inclusion of fuel cells in Tier I is also a loophole that allows fossil
fuels and other conventional power sources to count as if they were renewable energy.
The Bush administration interprets alternative to include coal.
New York Times, 5/29/07

(Edmund Andrews, “Lawmakers Push for Big Subsidies for Coal Process”,
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/29/business/29coal.html?ex=1338091200&en=7c0346180c71f4e0&ei=5090&part
ner=rssuserland&emc=rss, Accessed 7/17/08)
President Bush has not weighed in on specific incentives, but he has often stressed the importance of coal as
an alternative to foreign oil. In calling for a 20 percent cut in projected gasoline consumption by 2017, he has
carefully referred to the need for “alternative” fuels rather than “renewable” fuels. Administration officials
say that was specifically to make room for coal.
Coal Waste is Alternative Energy
Coal waste included in Pennsylvania “Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard” - Coal waste
is alternative energy
Electric Utility Week, 12-25-6

(“Utilities to get green credits from plants under contract, Pennsylvania PUC rules”, Electric Utility Week, p. 7,
LexisNexis)
The issue arises as more than 20 states have imposed portfolio standards, requiring utilities to include
certain percentages of alternative supplies in their mixes. These mandates generally allow utilities to
comply by using "renewable energy certificates" or "green tags," which represent the green attributes,
and extra cost, of renewable energy. Pennsylvania established an "Alternative Energy Portfolio
Standard" with "Alternative Energy Credits" because its system covers projects that burn the coal
waste that is polluting groundwater. It also covers coal gasification projects and energy efficiency (EUW, 29
Nov '04, 1).
Coal waste included in Pennsylvania “Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard” - Coal waste
is alternative energy
Electric Utility Week, 10-24-5

(“PJM starts tracking plant emissions, providing documents for RPS compliance”, Electric Utility Week, p. 13,
LexisNexis)
Portfolio standards vary by state, and Pennsylvania's "alternative energy portfolio standard" (AEPS)
even has a category that allows coal waste and coal gasification projects. Therefore, PJM does not call
the instruments "renewable energy certificates."
Coal waste is alternative energy
Doyle, Representative in Congress from the State of Pennsylvania, 4-24-7

(Mike, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures of the House Committee on Ways and
Means, http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=5826)
I believe that refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process provides significant energy and
environmental benefits because the process recaptures the BTU content of “coal waste sludge” (described
below) and has the associated environmental benefits of disposing of the coal waste sludge in a manner approved
by the Environmental Protection Agency. The use of coal waste sludge as a fuel product offsets other fuels that
would otherwise be used in the coke manufacturing process. This is exactly the type of alternative energy
technology that Congress has desired to encourage in the past and the provision of a tax incentive for the
production of refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process significantly furthers sound
energy, environmental, and economic policies.
Coal Waste is Alternative Energy
Alternative is broader than renewable—includes waste coal.
Action PA: Pennsylvania's Environmental Justice Resource, 2004

(A PA-based research, organizing, and networking center for the grassroots environmental justice movement,
Accessed 4.2.2008, http://www.actionpa.org/cleanenergy/)
In mid-2003, when PennFuture was leading a process to draft an RPS law, they had accepted the "political
reality" that waste coal will get into any RPS bill in the state because industry will make sure of it. It indeed
became very clear later on that the legislature, dominated by pro-coal interests, was uninterested in passing
any sort of RPS law unless waste coal was included. Instead of fighting this tendency and joining forces with
the majority of the environmental movement, PennFuture went a different direction.
Privately, they took the position that they'd accept waste coal in the bill as long as it's not called "renewable."
This caused different versions of the bill to replace the term "renewable" with "environmentally beneficial"
and later, "alternative." Publicly, in order to hold onto the initial support from other mainstream
environmental groups like Sierra Club, PennEnvironment and Clean Air Council and to court the support of
students and others, they publicly denied that waste coal was in the legislation for as long as they could get
away with such claims (until the words "waste coal" were blatantly used in the bill).
.
Ethanol = Fossil Fuels
Ethanol requires more energy to produce than it makes and is not sustainable.
ScienceDaily, 5
(“Ethanol and Biodiesel From Crops Not Worth the Energy”, Science Daily, July 6, 2005,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/07/050705231841.htm accessed 7/5/08)
Turning plants such as corn, soybeans and sunflowers into fuel uses much more energy than the resulting
ethanol or biodiesel generates, according to a new Cornell University and University of California-
Berkeley study.
"There is just no energy benefit to using plant biomass for liquid fuel," says David Pimentel, professor
of ecology and agriculture at Cornell. "These strategies are not sustainable."
Ethanol requires fossil energy for production.
ScienceDaily, 5
(“Ethanol and Biodiesel From Crops Not Worth the Energy”, Science Daily, July 6, 2005,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/07/050705231841.htm accessed 7/5/08)
"Ethanol production in the United States does not benefit the nation's energy security, its agriculture,
economy or the environment," says Pimentel. "Ethanol production requires large fossil energy input, and
therefore, it is contributing to oil and natural gas imports and U.S. deficits." He says the country should
instead focus its efforts on producing electrical energy from photovoltaic cells, wind power and
burning biomass and producing fuel from hydrogen conversion.
Ethanol/Biodiesel is Alternative
Biodiesel and organic ethanol are commonly considered alternative
Baird, Director of Midwest Regulatory Affairs for Reliant Energy, 2006

(Mark A., December 15, Comments before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Proposed New Title 52,
Chapter 75, Subchapter D, Relating to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Requirement, Accessed 7/17/08,
http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/Documents/SRCDocuments/Regulations/2569/COMMENTS_PUBLIC/Document-
2370.pdf)
§75.52 Fuel and Technology Standards for Alternative Energy Sources

The Commission notes in its discussion that the definition for "alternative energy
sources" at §73 P.S. 1648.2 does not specifically define what constitutes each particular
source. Further, the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (the "Act") indicates
that, "The term shall include . . ." the listed methods of electricity production; however,
there is no indication that the list is comprehensive or complete. Reliant suggests that the
definition of "biomass energy", proposed in §75 .52 (6)(i), be expanded to include both
biodiesel and ethanol produced by fermentation of an organic material. These two
sources of fuel are commonly considered as alternative/renewable . Interpretation of the
§75 .52 (6)(i) may currently allow these two sources of energy, as they are organic plant
materials. However some processing steps are needed to produce both proposed fuels,
and the examples in the existing "biomass energy" definition are more of a raw form of
plant material.
Hydroelectric isn’t Alternative Energy
Hydroelectric is traditional, not alternative- it is already ‘in the mix’
Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency, 2004

(“Improving Energy Performance in Canada – Report to Parliament Under the Energy Efficiency Act – 2003-2004”,
http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/data_e/parliament03-04/chapter1.cfm?attr=0, Accessed:
7/16/2008)
Alternative energy includes renewable sources other than large hydro-electric facilities, new applications of
conventional sources and new fuels, such as hydrogen for fuel cells. (Large hydro is not considered an alternative
energy source because it is already a successful, well-established mode of energy production, supplying more than
60 percent of the electricity in Canada.) Some technologies, such as those related to the use of propane as a vehicle
fuel and to forestry biomass, are already commercially available and accepted. Some have found applications in
specialized markets, such as remote communities. Others are still in the early stages of development.
Large scale hydroelectric plants aren’t considered alternative
Valles, Associate Press, 2000

(Colleen, “State looking for Alternative Energy Sources”, The Berkeley Daily Planet, December 26,
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2000-12-26/article/2836?headline=State-looking-for-alternative-energy-
sources, Accessed 7/17/08)
Alternative energy sources are expensive to set up, but once established, the fuel is fairly cheap. Natural gas
plants, on the other hand, are cheaper to set up, but must continually spend money to buy fuel.
Although alternative energy took off in the 1980s, it has been around since the turn of the 20th century, when
small hydroelectric plants were scattered throughout the state. Large hydroelectric plants are not considered
alternative energy.
In the 1960s came geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from the Earth to generate steam and turn a
turbine. Biomass, which comes from burning plant material; landfill gas, which can be harvested to drive
generators; and other renewable sources grew in popularity in the 1980s.
Hydrogen is Alternative Energy
Alternative includes hydrogen and fuel cells.
New Alternatives Fund 2004

(http://www.newalternativesfund.com/invest/invest_alternative.html, Accessed 4.2.2008)
Alternative Energy-- Our Definition
Alternative Energy includes three main groups:

-Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass)
-Fuel Cells & Hydrogen
-Energy Conservation and Enabling Technologies
Alternative encompasses hydrogen.

Alternative includes hydrogen.

Alternative energy includes alternative fuels that are transportation fuels other than gasoline and diesel, even
when the type of energy, such as natural gas, is traditional. It also includes the use of traditional energy
sources, such as natural gas, in untraditional ways, such as for distributed energy at the point of use through
microturbines or fuel cells. Finally, it also encompasses future energy sources, such as hydrogen and fusion.

Hydrogen is not Alternative Energy
Unless generated by solar, hydrogen should be considered a fossil fuel
Smolin, Principal of the energy and environmental consulting firm EXL Group, 5. (Michael
J., “BIOETHICS SYMPOSIUM: BIOFUELS AND THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Challenges and
Opportunities for Energy Alternatives for Transportation in the United States”, Cumberland Law Review, 2005).
Hydrogen is not found alone in nature in any large quantity, although it is a constituent of water.
Therefore, until it is generated by solar technology, hydrogen should be considered a fossil fuel derived
from natural gas. Use of hydrogen, when produced from fossil fuels, contributes to greenhouse gas
emissions.
Fuel cells aren’t alternative, unless the hydrogen is manufactured by a renewable process
Envocare 2007
(http://www.envocare.co.uk/renewable_energy.htm, Last Updated, 4/17/07, Accessed 7/17/08)
Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are not, strictly speaking, renewable or alternative energy sources, they are engines which convert
energy; the energy source is actually hydrogen. We include them here because potentially they could be so
important in the battle for clean and efficient energy. They are not new but the technology is complex and
research and development is needed to make them more accessible. The hydrogen fuel can be derived from a
variety of sources. Ideally they could be fuelled by pure hydrogen, manufactured by a renewable process, but
on the other hand, they might be fuelled by some hydrocarbon compound. If the source of energy is
renewable then we have a desirable situation but if it is petroleum derived, for example, then it is not a
renewable system. There are developments which indicate that fuel cells may provide an important source of
energy in transport applications.
Nanotech Spurs Alternative Energy
Nanotechnology is key to spur Alternative Energy development
Holister, expert advisor on nanotechnology, 07

(Paul, Renewable Energy World, “Nanotechnology and the Future of Renewable Energy,” February 26,
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/reinsider/story?id=47553, accessed 7-5-08)
At the other extreme of nanotech impact, you have solar energy. We are children in this area, and the
playground is built on the nanoscale. Almost any development is going to involve nanotech -- an
intriguing recent exception being the use of lenses to focus light on old-fashioned silicon photovoltaics, thus
demanding less of this expensive material.
But what makes for a revolution in energy generation? Two things: availability and economics. The fact that
solar energy is so bountiful -- enough hits the Earth in a minute to meet our global requirements for at least a
week -- makes it potentially revolutionary; it's just the cost of capturing that energy that has been standing in
the way. Reduce that enough, or increase the cost of the alternatives, and you have a winning scenario.
One other energy source could, I believe, be equally revolutionary. Not fusion, which, despite the dreams of
my youth, I sadly have to relegate to a distant future, not that the ongoing experiments aren't worthwhile. But
geothermal energy, boring as hot rocks and steam may sound, has revolutionary potential for the same reason
as solar -- an essentially unlimited supply of energy untapped only because of economics.
The nanotech connection is not as direct here as with solar -- you have tougher materials to cut drilling costs
or thermoelectric tunneling for efficient low-grade heat conversion -- but it only takes the right conjunction
of developments and geothermal power stations will be springing up, or down, all over the place.
I've only considered here principal power generation, but this should already give some sense of the breadth
and potential scale of impact. I'd be surprised to find any reader of this unaware of the excitement
surrounding developments in fuel cell and battery technology. Nanotechnology figures almost without
exception in the cutting edge of both.
So how do nanotechnology-based solutions apply to environmental concerns and energy security

issues?
From an energy security point of view, nanotech developments are invariably positive since, at the very least,
they can help save energy -- aerogels for better insulation, IR-reflective window coatings, low-grade heat
conversion in cars, etc. They also assist to varying degrees in the development of alternatives to the fossil
fuels upon which so many of us are now so dangerously dependent. I've already mentioned the potential
of solar and geothermal energy.
Nanotech is a method to develop alternative energy
McConnico, writer for Wake Forest University, 05

(Jacob, Physorg, “ Nanotech breakthrough aids quest for viable alternative energy sources”, November 8,
http://www.physorg.com/news7967.html, accessed 7-5-08)
Nanotech breakthrough aids quest for viable alternative energy sources

At a time when oil prices are reaching record highs and people are bracing for winter heating bills,
researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials have made
significant strides in improving the efficiency of organic or flexible solar cells.
Nanotechnology is used by alternative energy projects to generate energy
Doe, Ph.D. and contributing editor to various nanotechnology journals, 06

(Paula, nd Energy, “Alternative Energy Suppliers Look to Nano-Manufacturing”, October 20,
http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com/nano_dynamics_energy/news_and_information/3,1,13868,1,13870.html, accessed
7-6-08)
Developers of fuel cells, solar cells and next-generation lithium ion batteries are looking to new nano-
manufacturing technologies to enable their smaller and cheaper solutions to generating energy. “The
real issues now in the alternative energy world,” said Ged McLean, president and CTO at Angstrom Power
(North Vancouver, B.C., Canada), “are all about nano-manufacturing.”
McLean’s company is looking for ways nano-manufacturing can improve its microstructured fuel cells.
High-profile thin-film solar cell suppliers Nanosolar (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Konarka Technologies (Lowell,
Mass.) are counting on nanostructured materials to enable printing their low-cost thin films on flexible
substrates. And Angela Belcher’s group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Cambridge,
Mass.) is now focusing on getting its viruses to assemble alloys for electrodes for lithium ion batteries with
much higher energy density.
Nanotechnology is used as a means to create successful Alternative Energy Projects
A to Z Nanotechnology, popular nanotechnology news website, 05

(Journal of Nanotechnology Online, “Nanoscience Solutions for Energy Technologies Advocated”, March 9,
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=589, accessed 7-6-08)
Nanotechnology Deemed Best Long-Term Energy Alternative

Breakthroughs in nanotechnology could open up the possibility of moving beyond the United States’s
current alternatives for energy supply by introducing technologies that are more efficient, inexpensive,
and environmentally sound, according to a new science policy study by Rice University.
The report, based on input from 50 leading U.S. scientists who gathered at Rice in May 2003, found
that key contributions can be made in energy security and supply through fundamental research on
nanoscience solutions to energy technologies. The group of experts concluded that a major nanoscience
and energy research program should be aimed at long-term breakthrough possibilities in cleaner
sources of energy, particularly solar energy. Such a program also should provide vital science backup to
current technologies in the short term, including technologies for storing and transmitting electricity.
The study findings were announced as Congress and the Bush administration began another round of efforts
to pass national energy legislation. “The 2003 energy bill effort was an amalgamation of giveaways to
special-interest groups,” says Amy Myers Jaffe, the Wallace S. Wilson Fellow for Energy Studies at the
James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy and associate director of the Rice Energy Program and the Shell
Center for Sustainability. “What is needed is a more focused debate that puts regional or parochial short-term
interests aside and emphasizes our long-term national interests. The outlook is dire. We need real solutions.”
The participating scientists agreed that nanotechnology could revolutionize electricity grid technology
by providing transmission lines built from carbon nanotubes that could conduct electricity across great
distances without loss. A breakthrough in electricity transmission technology would facilitate not only
distributed electricity but also render commercially viable the transmission of electricity from distant
sources of energy, such as solar and wind collector farms located in desert geography or closed-loop
clean coal FutureGen sequestration power plants built near geologic formations. Improvements in
electricity transmission also would permit the transportation of electricity by wire from power stations
built near stranded natural gas reserves in remote regions. Howard Schmidt, executive director of the
Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory at Rice, believes that development of carbon nanotube wire is possible
within five years given adequate research and development funding.
Nanotech is key to ensure success of US Alternative Energy programs
NSTI, Nano Science Research and Education Institute, 06

(Nano Science and Technology Institute, “Altair Nanotechnologies CEO will testify to the Senate Commerce
Committee that Nanotechnology Holds a Key to U.S. Alternative Energy Goals”, June 14,
http://209.250.87.119/press/PRshow.html?id=1109, accessed 7-6-08)
Nanotechnology Holds a Key to U.S. Alternative Energy Goals RENO, Nev.--June 14, 2006--Altair
Nanotechnologies, Inc. CEO and President Alan J. Gotcher, PhD, will brief the U.S. Senate Commerce
Committee on Wednesday, June 14 on the important role Altairnano could play in the deployment of
alternative energy sources, including those that could be used to power electric automobiles, critical facilities
and installations, and a diverse range of military applications Although Altairnano is operating on a variety of
promising fronts, Dr. Gotcher said the company's work on nano lithium ion battery materials appears to
embody the greatest near-term potential for significant real world applications. "We are developing an
advanced lithium ion battery: affordable, environmentally clean, with a range of operational capabilities
applicable to high power uses that no conventional battery can match," Dr. Gotcher will tell Congress. The
end result could set a new baseline standard in energy storage and power delivery. It's a timely
development, Dr. Gotcher will tell lawmakers, as "it will take a major breakthrough in electrical power
management if the U.S. is to make tangible, near-term achievements in reducing our nation's
increasing dependence on foreign sources of petroleum and natural gas, and thereby enhancing
national energy independence, while also reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases that are produced by our growing energy consumption." Dr. Gotcher will demonstrate the impact the
Altairnano battery technology could have with a number of examples of its potential use in a variety of applications. The examples will
describe the potential of the technology, and in each case assume that independent third parties will make necessary investments into the
products and related infrastructure to fully develop the applications. These examples will include: Auto Industry Applications Advanced
batteries of the type Altairnano is developing could enable the US auto industry to "leapfrog" the next generation of hybrid drive
vehicles, where US industry and its technology are behind its Asian competitors, Dr. Gotcher will testify. An Altairnano battery sized for
an average five-passenger sedan could enable automakers to design an all-electric vehicle with similar performance and comfort to
today's internal combustion-engine cars, Dr. Gotcher will inform Congress. He will state that the Altairnano goal is to deliver battery
capabilities that could provide a sedan with a 200-plus-mile driving range, no degradation of operation over that entire distance; a
recharge time of under 6 minutes (or about the time it takes to fill the tank of a large SUV); a battery that is completely safe from
explosion or leakage of hazardous contents, and not least, no carbon dioxide emissions of any kind. "As an indirect benefit, we believe
that we will not have to compromise technical and economic competitiveness in the auto industry in order to have cleaner air," Dr.
Gotcher will state. "Such a vehicle is not 20 years away. Cars based on the Altairnano battery technology could be in the market much
sooner provided the automotive manufacturers decide to design and produce them, and the power recharging station infrastructure is
built." Stationary Power Applications Dr. Gotcher will describe how existing telephone and communications networks (commercial and
military) rely upon an infrastructure of backup power based on lead acid batteries. He will state that these batteries typically require
replacement every three years, and pose hazardous waste issues around both their manufacture and disposal. He will contrast this with
nano lithium ion batteries based on Altairnano's technology, which are projected to have a life of possibly as much as 15-20 years and be
fully reliable in all conditions; pose no hazardous materials issues; and can be economically competitive with lead acid batteries.
Military Applications Dr. Gotcher will describe how at sea naval ships could improve electrical power availability and reduce fuel costs
by deploying Altairnano's battery technology in a distributed power, 24x7 availability configuration. He will go on to illustrate how on
land the US Army could replace "use-once-and-dispose" batteries with rechargeable batteries using Altairnano technology. The fast-
charge (in minutes) capability of Altairnano's battery technology removes the obstacle of using conventional rechargeable (charge in
hours) batteries. This could reduce deployment logistics and costs as well as improve the life of the US foot soldier. And he will finish
with an example of potential battery deployment in air planes, missiles, and spacecraft which all need reliable power-on-demand, with
very quick discharge rates, in batteries that can withstand temperature extremes without any serious degradation of capability. In many
instances, Altairnano's nano lithium ion batteries could replace
current batteries, with significantly less weight and taking up around half the space requirements--thus allowing for larger payloads,
increased speeds, or extended range. The Role of Government in Stimulating Innovation Dr Gotcher will maintain that the US lead in
nanotechnology will require close
cooperation between government and industry. He will be encouraging Congress to continue funding research in this area and to
achieving a regulatory environment that is realistic and based on facts. Dr Gotcher will state that the US present lead in
nanotechnology will help us to gain the lead in alternative energy technology deployment, and thus
lead to energy security--but only if government works with industry to regulate only what demonstrably
needs to be regulated, and only to the degree that regulation is an effective aid to the industry and not a
serious hindrance.
Nuclear is Alternative Energy
Alternative is any non-fossil-fuel, including nuclear
Traum, Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Mechanical and Energy Engineering @ UNT
2008
(Matthew J., “Alternative, Renewable, Sustainable, and Green: What is the Difference?”,
http://www.designnews.com/index.asp?layout=blogPreview&blog_id=460000246&blog_post_id=620015662,
October 10, Accessed 7/17/08)
“Alternative” refers to any non-fossil-fuel energy source, but it does not necessarily have to be renewable.
Nuclear energy is one example, since the available fissionable material on the planet is finite. Geothermal
energy, which can be exhausted if seismic events disrupt heat sources, is another alternative energy example.
Alternative includes fission.

Alternative energy includes renewables and nuclear
Alternative Renewable Energy Online 2k8

(“Introduction”, http://alternativerenewableenergyonline.com/ Alternative Energy accessed June
21 2k8)
Alternative energy generally refers to energies that are derived from non-fossil fuel sources, while
renewable energies refer to those sources that are naturally replenishing such as biomass, hydro, solar, wind,
geothermal and ocean thermal. These sources are basically unlimited in quantity; however, they cannot
produce the amount of energy needed in a given time. Renewable energy also refers to energies that are
clean, meaning they have very little effect on the environment, i.e non-pollutant and non-hazardous. It is
therefore safe to say that not all alternative energies are renewable energies, based on the definitions
provided. One common example is nuclear energy, which is alternative but not renewable.
Federal interpretation of alternative include nuclear

The Pennsylvania statue illustrates the capacity of government to narrowly or broadly define alternative
energy. Alternative energy cannot be assumed to have certain properties, such as zero greenhouse gas
emissions or complete disassociation from hydrocarbon energy sources. At the federal level, the expansion of
nuclear energy policy has been proposed as a form of alternative energy, replacing the use of hydrocarbons in
to produce electrical or thermal energy. What is alternative energy? Simply put, it is not a unified concept.
The lack of clarity and consistency in definition, however, provides an opportunity for individuals and groups
considering alternative energy sources for their communities, states, or nation. The lack of rigidity in
definition reflects the likelihood that perspectives on alternative energy will be more likely related to a search
process focusing on energy alternatives.
Nuclear is Alternative Energy
‘Alternative’ means ‘non-traditional’, including nuclear

Nuclear Fusion is Alternative Energy
Alternative includes fusion.

Alternative energy includes alternative fuels that are transportation fuels other than gasoline and diesel, even when
the type of energy, such as natural gas, is traditional. It also includes the use of traditional energy sources, such as
natural gas, in untraditional ways, such as for distributed energy at the point of use through microturbines or fuel
cells. Finally, it also encompasses future energy sources, such as hydrogen and fusion.
Nuclear isn’t Alternative Energy
The most predictable federal definition of alternative energy explicitly excludes nuclear.

The federal definition of alternative energy is best summarized by Title 26, chapter 79, § 7701 of the revised
U.S. Code: “the term ‘alternative energy facility’ means a facility for producing electrical or thermal energy
if the primary energy source for the facility is not oil, natural gas, coal, or nuclear power.” The primary
purpose of this definition relates to the issuance of tax credits to “alternative energy facility[ies],” which meet
certain standards as defined in Title 26, chapter 1, §48 “Energy Credit.” Tax credits are one method by which
the federal government encourages the private sector to make certain economic choices; in the case of energy
policy, this definition of alternative energy will have a definitive impact on how alternative energy will be
defined by those individuals and corporate bodies seeking federal recognition (and benefit) by adopting a
particular definition of alternative energy. Many state definitions of alternative energy closely follow federal
definitions. Case law confirms that federal guidelines supercede state-level guidelines. Federal standards also
impact the state and local receipt of alternative energy grants, subsidies, and tax exemptions. It is reasonable,
therefore, that state and local definitions would be consistent with federal energy policy. Consistency
between federal and state definitions does not mean that there are not a few variations. In many ways,
variation at the state level illustrates the dynamic and evolving alternative energy paradigm, which is by no
means unique to the U.S. policy process.
Alternative may be a broad term, but nuclear is explicitly excluded.
G8 Research Group- Oxford, 2007

(“Oxford G-8 commitment interpretation guidelines 2006-2007”, http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/oxford/g8rg-ox-guide-
2007.pdf., March, accessed 7/16/08)
Definitions:
♣ “Alternative energy” includes, inter alia, financial or political support for the development of common
international standards in the field of commercial development of hydrogen power, infrastructure, and
security requirements (§26). Corn ethanol and biofuels (excluding those used for surface
transportation) are included.
♣ “Renewable” energy sources include, inter alia, solar, wind, hydro (wave/tidal, etc.), biomass, and
geothermal energy resources. Nuclear energy is excluded.
♣ “New innovative technologies” might refer to e.g. advanced electricity networks, superconductivity, or
nanotechnology, including nano-biotech.
♣ Our definition of “alternative” and “renewable” energy for the purposes of the Compliance Report is
not limited to various examples quoted in the St. Petersburg Communiqué. Please feel free to
include additional examples of environmentally friendly diversification strategies – but please note
that the focus of this commitment is not nuclear energy (which is covered elsewhere in the
Communiqué).
Alternative Energy is defined in contrast to fossil fuels and nuclear
Appropedia.org, Renewable energy dictionary, last modified 2007

(“Alternative Energy Sources”, http://www.appropedia.org/Renewable_Energy_Dictionary,
accessed 7/3/2008)
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
(gen). Sources of ENERGY different from those generally employed by a user. The term usually refers to
RENEWABLE ENERGY sources such as SOLAR ENERGY, WIND ENERGY, GEOTHERMAL POWER,
HYDROPOWER, etc. The use of alternative energy sources is attractive because of the [1] high price and
limited availability of petroleum-based fuels; [2] the pollution that is associated with the burning of FOSSIL
FUELS; and [3] the expense and dangers of nuclear power.
Nuclear power is environmentally destructive and unsafe— not considered alternative
energy.


Alternative energy
-saves natural resources
-is environmentally superior to conventional coal and oil.
Wind, flowing water, energy conservation and geothermal heating are ancient but now employ new advanced
technology. Technologies such as solar cells, hydrogen and fuel cells and ocean energy are relatively new. All
of the technologies operate. The present cost effectiveness of some of the newest technologies varies.
Alternative Energy does not include

-Coal
-Oil
-Atomic energy
Coal and oil are fossil fuels that cause environmental damage when mined and release pollution when
combusted. Alternative energy is cleaner. There may be future technologies for the transformation of coal to
a clean source of energy.
We do invest in natural gas which is the cleanest of all hydrocarbons, particularly when used in modern
turbines and fuel cells. Natural gas is often used to displace dirtier options.
Atomic energy is not included as an area for alternative energy investment – it is unsafe and expensive. There
is
-significant potential for accident or attack
-unresolved radioactive waste disposal problems
-frequent community opposition.
-cost of dismantling atomic energy facilities as they mature or depreciate - likely to be greater than
the original construction cost.
Alternative Energy excludes nuclear.
Walker Miller Energy Services LLC, No Date

(“Alternative Energy Information, http://www.wmenergy.com/alt-energy-information.shtml, Accessed 7/17/08)
Alternative Energy is energy derived from sources that do not deplete natural resources or harm the
environment. Alternative Energy includes three main groups:
Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass)
Fuel Cells & Hydrogen
Energy Conservation and Enabling Technologies
Some forms of alternative energy, such as wind, flowing water, and geothermal heating are ancient, but now
employ new advanced technology to deliver them to the required place of use.
Other technologies such as solar cells, hydrogen and fuel cells and ocean energy are relatively new.
Alternative Energy does not include:
Coal
Oil
Atomic energy
Oil Shale is Alternative Energy
Oil Shale is alternative Energy
Winnie Lee, ASIA PACIFIC; Pg. 4 Vol. 85 No. 227, November 16, 2007, CNPC Plans
Spending on Alternative Energy, Platts Oilgram News
CHINA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORP plans to invest Yuan 10 billion ($1.35 billion) by 2010 to develop
alternative energy sources, the Chinese state oil giant said in a statement published on its web site. The goal
is to build up alternative energy production capacity equivalent to 3 million mt of oil equivalent in the next
three years, CNPC said. The figure represents just 2.6% of the 113.6 million mt of crude produced by
CNPC's business arm PetroChina in 2006. The company will take on foreign technology partners to develop
the alternative energy sources, including solar energy, wind power, biofuels, geothermal, hydrogen, gas
hydrates, coalbed methane, oil sands and oil shale, CNPC said.
Oil Shale is alternative Energy
Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan Radio, January 30, 1995, Prime Minister Delivers Policy
Address to Parliament
In the field of energy and mineral resources, the government will continue its exploration for oil and other
raw materials. It will also pursue efforts to exploit alternative energy sources such as oil shale. The
government will continue to implement the rural fills plan [as heard] that is aimed at providing electricity to
the remaining population centres not yet enjoying this service, and these do not exceed one per cent of the
population of Jordan. The government will also continue to construct the power stations needed to cope with
the growing demand on electricity and modernize the power supply grids. It will also continue to supply
crude oil and its byproducts to meet the citizens' demand.
Oil Shale is considered a viable alternative energy source
MATT CUNNINGHAM, Northern Territory News, June 17, 2008

Cheaper Fuel May be Buried in NT Back Yard
Oil shale production was once considered far too expensive to make it a viable alternative to conventional
sources of petroleum production. But with the soaring price of crude oil, oil shale production is now being
considered as a viable alternative energy source. New technology was being developed to reduce the cost of
oil shale production and limit the environmental effects of mining the resource, Mr Karajas said.
Oil Sands and Oils Shale are both alternative energies
Drake Bennett, Staff Writer, The New Dirty Energy It’s Big, it’s Growing — and it’s Bad for the
Environment. Inside the Other Alternative-Energy Movement. The Boston Globe, Ideas, August 19, 2007
Alternative energy wasn’t supposed to look like this. For years, leading environmental thinkers have argued
that high fossil fuel prices are good for the planet, driving investors and customers toward biofuels, solar
power, and a host of new energy sources that will quickly become cost-effective.
But as oil prices stay high, the real beneficiary often turns out to be a very different alternative-energy
industry, one focused on dirty fuel sources such as oil sands, oil shale, and coal. Environmentally speaking,
the oil-sand plants of Alberta are no better than petroleum drilling, and in some ways decidedly worse. In
North America, in terms of energy output, this so-called “unconventional oil” sector already dwarfs clean and
renewable-energy technologies, and is poised to grow even faster in the next decade.
Oil Sands are not Alternative Energy
Oil Sands are conventional, not alternative energy.
Gerald Karey, THE AMERICAS; Pg. 7 Vol. 86 No. 85, Platts Oilgram News, April 30, 2008,
US' High Emission Ban Said Not for Oil Sands
Provisions in 2007 energy legislation that bar the US military from using high emissions alternative fuels is
not intended to apply to Canadian oil sands, Ron Stevens, deputy premier of the province of Alberta, said
April 29.
The act prevents federal agencies from purchasing "alternative or synthetic" fuels whose lifecycle greenhouse
gas emissions are higher than conventional petroleum. Oil sands production has a large carbon footprint,
although Alberta officials say they are making strides in reducing emissions.
"My understanding is at this point in time, most people don't believe that the interpretation of (the legislation)
going forward will include oil sands product," Stevens said during a press briefing at the Canadian embassy.
"From our perspective, oil sand product is not alternative energy, that it is produced and processed in
conventional ways, and indeed it is shipped to the US commingled with what you otherwise call conventional
oil in the true sense. What people are telling us is it was never intended that this product would not be used
by the military."
Recaptured Heat/Steam is Alternative Energy
Alternative energy includes recaptured steam and heat
Courreges, staff writer for The Advocate, 12/14/07

(Patrick, The Advocate [Baton Rouge], p. 19, ProQuest)
The council also heard from David Dismukes, associate director at LSU's Center for Energy Studies.
Dismukes spoke of the potential for alternative energy in the state. He said that his definition of alternative
energy not only includes the traditional means, such as hydroelectric power, biofuels and wind energy, but
more efficient uses of power such as recapturing steam and heat generated by some industrial processes.
Combined heat and power is alternative energy.

Tar Sands are Alternative Energy
Tar Sand is an alternative energy
Oil & Gas Journal, NEWSLETTER; Market Movement; Pg. 5, September 6, 2004
Alternative Energy Era

Despite the recent price slippage, however, Bernard J. Picchi, senior managing director of Foresight Research
Solutions LLC, New York, warned that crude prices "are very unlikely to return to $ 17-20/bbl." Like many
others, he predicted prices would escalate in the next "inevitable" Middle East crisis.
"Even if oil were to hit $ 50/bbl, it wouldn't tank the US economy," Picchi reported. "Gasoline would have to rise
to $ 5.75/gal to have the same impact today as it did on the more energy-intensive economy of 1980."Meanwhile,
he said, consumers "cannot depend on either [the Oganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries] or Russia to
restore a margin of spare production capacity to soothe the jangled nerves of the West's oil buyers." Instead, the
world must seek other energy sources, Picchi said: "This will be the decade of alternative energy development.
LNG, gas-to-liquids, tar sands, wind power, biomass, and other alternative energies will be to the present era what
Alaska and the North Sea were to the '70s and '80s: a major new source of energy that will eventually loosen the
grip of OPEC and high oil prices. This will not happen overnight."
Incentives- Spur to action
An incentive is a system which encourages a particular choice of action
Oxford English Dictionary, 1989

(Second Edition 1989, “Incentive”, Oxford University Press.
http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50114143?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=incentive&first=1&max_to
_show=10 date accessed: July 5, 2008)
Incentive (n) – Of or pertaining to a system of payments, concessions, etc., to encourage harder work or
a particular choice of work.
1943 Reader's Digest Aug. 11/1 Mr. Charles E. Wilson..is urging war industries to adopt ‘incentive pay’
that is, to pay workers more if they produce more. 1948 Ann. Reg. 1947 283 In an effort to increase foreign
trading various incentives were offered to exporters..a proportion of the foreign exchange..for the purchase of
raw materials,..and ‘incentive’ goods for their workers. 1951 Engineering 2 Mar. 245/2 The body of the book
is concerned with a description of the [‘Armstrong Merit Sharing’] scheme... A series of ‘requirements’ is
laid down to which it is considered that any incentive scheme should conform. 1952 ‘VIGILANS’ Chamber
of Horrors 72 Incentive bonus, a bonus in advance as an encouragement, for workers, to work. 1957 Encycl.
Brit. XXIII. 272/1 For a substantial number of wage earners compensation is defined in terms not of time
units but of output, under various types of incentive systems. Ibid. 272/2 The essential characteristic of an
incentive wage rate structure is that payment depends on output rather than work time. 1967 G. F. FIENNES
I tried to run Railway iv. 31 Work Study became synonymous with incentive payments. 1970 T. LUPTON
Managem. & Social Sci. (ed. 2) ii. 53 These controls were turned mainly to the manipulation of the incentive
payment system.
An ‘incentive’ is something which catalyzes action

(Second Edition 1989, “Incentive”, Oxford University Press.
http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50114143?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=incentive&first=1&max_to
_show=10 date accessed: July 5, 2008)
Incentive (n) – Something that arouses feeling, or incites to action; an exciting cause or motive; an
incitement, provocation, ‘spur’
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 5 The incentiue of manhode. 1612 SELDEN Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb. vi. 97 A
musicall incentiue to warre. 1638 ROUSE Heav. Univ. i. (1702) 3 Let the Precepts and Patterns of
Vertues..serve for Spurs and Incentives to Grace. 1665 BOYLE Occas. Refl. (1848) 9 Incentives to inflame
our hearts with Charity and Zeal. 1713 STEELE Englishm. No. 50. 329 This Paper is principally designed as
an Incentive to the Love of our Country. 1849 MISS MULOCK Ogilvies viii, With men of Lynedon's
character opposition is often the greatest incentive to love.
Incentives must be Positive
An incentive is something which motivates behavior through positive means
Lexiteria, 2007
(“Incentive” AlphaDictionary. http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/word/incentive date accessed: July 5,
2008)
Incentive (n) – Anything that encourages or motivates a particular kind of behavior, a positive
inducement; the carrot, as opposed to the stick.
While it may seem dubious that creativity can be bought, the fact of the matter is, incentives may take
forms other than money: "Daisy offered her children dinner at McDonald's as an incentive to help her clean
up the house." Incentives must be a positive inducement; however, positivity, like beauty, is in the eye of
the beholder: "The school's offer to allow the weaker chemistry students to use the lab on weekends proved
to be less an incentive for improvement than was expected."
An incentive is payment to encourage greater output
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, 2008

(“Incentive” Oxford University Press. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-incentive.html accessed: July 5,
2008)
a payment or concession to stimulate greater output or investment: tax incentives for investing in
depressed areas | [as adj.] incentive payments.
An incentive is a positive reward
InvestorWords.com, No Date
(“incentive”, WebFinance, Inc., http://www.investorwords.com/2394/incentive.html, accessed: July 16, 2008)
incentive
Definition
A reward for a specific behavior, designed to encourage that behavior. also called inducement.
‘Incentive’ means positive motivation, or an added payment
Wordreference.com 2003
(Adapted from WordNet 2.0, http://www.wordreference.com/definition/incentive, accessed 7/17/08)
Incentive
A Noun
1 incentive, inducement, motivator
a positive motivational influence
Category Tree:
psychological feature
╚motivation; motive; need
╚rational motive
╚incentive, inducement, motivator
╚moral force; dynamic
2 bonus, incentive
an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output
Incentives must be Positive
An incentive is a positive inducement or reward
BusinessDictionary.com, No Date
(“incentive”, http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/incentive.html, Accessed 7/17/08)
incentive
Definition
Inducement or supplemental reward that serves as a motivational device for a desired action or behavior.
Incentives are purely positive- distinct from both disincentives and the ‘carrot-and-stick’
approach
Roper et al, 2005

(Carl, Security Consultant, Dr. Lynn Fischer – PERSEREC, Joseph Grau, Security Consultant, Security Education,
Awareness, and Training, p. 79-80)
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MOTIVATION
There are two basic styles of motivation: positive motivation and negative motivation. In positive motivation,
a person is led to expect a positive consequence for achieving the objective. This is often called a reward or
an incentive. Negative motivation is, of course, the flip side of that coin, where the person is made to perceive
that failing to achieve the objective will bring a negative consequence – a punishment or disincentive.
Actually, there’s a third style of motivation, for which we’ve adopted a highly technical term: carrot-and-
stick. This comes from getting a mule to move forward. You dangle a carrot in front of the mule, hoping he’ll
step forward to get it, but keep a stick in your other hand to whomp him upside the head if he doesn’t. Using
the carrot-and-stick style, you provide incentives for success, accompanied by disincentives for failure. You
present both at once, applied to the same task and objective.
Disincentives punish fossil fuel use, incentives encourage alternatives.
Bradford, Director- Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development, 2006

(Travis, Solar Revolution: The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry, p. 16)
The analysis supporting these conclusions does not assume that governments will do more to encourage investment
in renewable energy or that governments will impose disincentives on the use of fossil fuels or nuclear power. Some
governments—including those of Japan, Germany, Australia, and many U.S. states—are already promoting solar
electricity by offering incentives and streamlining connections to the electricity grid. However, forecasts based on
government programs that do not yet exist are irresponsible, and waiting for such programs to materialize is even
more so. Many people both inside and outside government are promoting renewable energy, but the belief that a
renewable-energy economy will not happen without greater government support—as environmentalists too often
argue—is wrong. The shift will happen in years rather than decades and will occur because of fundamental
economics.
Incentives distinct from Disincentives
In the context of alternative energy, incentives are subsidies and tax credits—disincentives
are tax increases, which create government revenue (killing our budget disads, etc.)
Ghiollarnath, International Environmental Law -Doctoral Student, Maastricht University,

2007
(Carol Ni, Eighth Annual Global Conference on Environmental Taxation, October 18-20, “Corporate Income Tax
Incentives for Renewable Energy Generation: Has the Double Dividend Gone Astray?”,
http://www.worldecotax.org/abstracts-FRIworkshop2-1.html, Accessed 7/17/08)
The Kyoto Protocol calls for the development of renewable energy technologies and traditional fiscal policy
is a policy tool utilised by the ratifying countries to this end. The majority of academic discourse addressing
fiscal policy, however, concentrates on the implementation of energy taxes to the neglect of direct tax
measures and this is not due to the inexistence of direct tax policy. Rather than, or at least in addition to,
disincentive tax measures such as energy taxes, the possibility is also available of introducing incentive tax
measures in the form of direct tax subsidies. The generation of renewable energy, being a commercial
activity, is subject to corporate income tax, and therefore also subject to tax incentives in this form. This
paper uncovers the direct corporate income tax incentives for the development of renewable energy in four
case studies in the EU – The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK.
There is no coherence at the European level on the precise mix of policy tools to be used in pursuit of Kyoto
Protocol objectives. Even if a common framework existed at the European level, once the common
framework would address direct fiscal incentives, this would be too grand an attack on national sovereignty
to find any conclusion. Thus, where direct tax policy reform is at issue, even within the EU context, it is
national measures which are at issue. However, national tax incentives are indeed subject to European
Commission approval where they fall within the EU state aid rules. Thus, this paper also addresses the
implications of the EU state aid rules.
Finally, this paper examines the national expenditure related to corporate income tax incentives for the
development of renewable energy in the case study countries against revenue raised from energy taxes.
Conclusions are to be drawn from this examination which raise the question whether it is mainly the revenue
raising potential of energy taxes rather than their environmental effects which has resulted in the
disproportionate academic and political concentration on disincentive tax policy as opposed to tax incentives.
Disincentives for fossil fuels are different than incentives for alternatives.
Conservation Centre of South Australia ‘99

(“The Diesel Fuel Excise”, June, http://www.ccsa.asn.au/nic/SustDev/diesel.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
The most important point in the above discussion is that there should be no incentive to use diesel fuel either
for stationary or for non-stationary applications. On the contrary, there should be dis-incentives for diesel and
incentives for renewables.
“Polluter pays” is a fossil fuel disincentive.
Conservation Centre of South Australia ‘99

(“The Diesel Fuel Excise”, June, http://www.ccsa.asn.au/nic/SustDev/diesel.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
The polluter-pays principle is recommended as an effective disincentive to the use of fossil fuels, whether for
stationary use or for transport. The greater the pollution potential the greater should be the price of the fuel.
Incentives to use fossil fuels should be replaced by incentives to switch to conservation and to
environmentally acceptable renewable alternatives.
Disincentives are Negative, Prevent Action
Disincentives prevent action
American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition, 2003

(Updated 2003, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/disincentive, Accessed 7/16/2008)
dis·in·cen·tive (dsn-sntv)
n.
Something that prevents or discourages action; a deterrent.
Disincentives discourage an action
Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition, 2006

(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/disincentive, Accessed 7/16/2008)
disincentive
Noun
something that discourages someone from behaving or acting in a particular way
A disincentive is a negative motivator—opposite of incentive
Freedictionary.com, based on Wordnet 3.0

(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/disincentive, Accessed 7/16/2008_
Noun 1. disincentive - a negative motivational influence

Synonyms- deterrence
Related words- rational motive - a motive that can be defended by reasoning or logical argument
Antonyms- incentive, inducement, motivator - a positive motivational influence
A disincentive deters action
Collins Essential Thesaurus 2nd Edition, 2006

(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/disincentive, Accessed 7/16/2008)
disincentive
noun discouragement, deterrent, impediment, damper, dissuasion, determent
Disincentives are Negative, Prevent Action
A disincentive is a source of discouragement

(Second Edition 1989, “Disincentive”, Oxford University Press.
http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50114143?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=disincentive&first=1&max
_to_show=10 date accessed: July 5, 2008)
Incentive (n) – A source of discouragement, esp. to economic progress or development.
1946 Daily Tel. 2 Nov. 4/2 In view of the urgency of the need for maximum production any disincentive is a
serious consideration. 1954 Times 18 Mar. 9/2 It is admitted also that P.A.Y.E. presents the disincentive
effects of taxation in the promptest possible manner. 1957 Technology July 168/1 Taxation, Mr. Thorneycroft
maintained, was undoubtedly a disincentive. 1963 Higher Educ. xiv. 212 in Parl. Papers 1962-3 (Cmnd.
2154) XI. 639 We think it probable that it [sc. the financing of students by loans] would have undesirable
disincentive effects. 1964 New Society 27 Feb. 8/3 Commuting is not a disincentive for some of the men to
take active part in local organizations.
A disincentive is something which prevents action
Answers.com, 2008
(“Disincentive” Answers.com: Business & Finance. http://www.answers.com/topic/disincentive?cat=biz-fin date
accessed: July 5, 2008)
n. Something that prevents or discourages action; a deterrent.
A disincentive is a negative motivational influence, the opposite of an incentive
Word Web Online, 2008

(“Disincentive” Word Web Software. http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/DISINCENTIVE date accessed: July 5,
2008)
A negative motivational influence- deterrence

Derived forms: disincentives; Type of: rational motive; Antonym: incentive
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade
The “cap” requires a disincentive to enforce itself
Sweeney, Ph.D., award winning business and technology journalist 6/5/2008

(Dan, “Carbon Finance”, http://www.alternatefuelsworld.com/carbon-finance.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
There is, however, another dimension to the issue, that of enforcement in regard to caps, a dimension that, as
it happens, many traders would prefer to ignore. Unless there is some penalty in place for those who exceed
their assigned limits, then those limits will be exceeded on a massive scale simply because it will be
financially advantageous for the emitter to do so. There has to be in place a financial disincentive to
discourage the flouting of cap regulations, or some other form of disincentive—though we doubt that many
governments would be inclined to jail emitters who exceed their limits. The levy on the part of the
government may be construed as fine or as a tax but its impact will be the same.
Permits are punishment for dirty energy, not a subsidy for alternative energy
Sweeney, Research Assistant @ Resources for the Future, May 15, 2008
(Rich, http://commontragedies.wordpress.com/category/cap-and-trade/, Accessed 7/16/08)
Auctioning carbon permits would definitely not consitute a de facto subsidy to alternative energy. It would
represent the removal of a de facto subsidy to dirty energy, as emitters currently thrust the cost of their carbon
onto society at large. As for his skepticism about the government’s ability to pick technologies effectively,
this is theoretically correct, yet practically unhelpful. Just how inefficient is the government solution? Given
the market failures associated with energy and climate change, is a private solution even possible? These are
very complex questions, and the issue as a whole warrants more consideration than Yglesias gives it.
Cap and Trade doesn’t create incentives for alternatives—it just distorts the market.
Winegarden, economic consultant to corporations and policy and trade associations, 2008
(Wayne, “‘Cap and Trade’ Fallacies”, June 21, http://www.townhall.com/Common/PrintPage.aspx?g=8dc8fdb8-
ad24-4c87-8759-4130ad6d52b0&t=c, Accessed 7/17/08)
Fallacy #2: Cap and Trade provides incentives for alternative energy technologies: The incentives to create
alternative energy technologies exist with or without cap and trade regulation. These incentives vary from the
economic (profit) to the non-economic (values). Cap and trade does not change the incentives. But, it can
distort the process, and due to the law of unintended consequences, may even make the situation worse.
Take the ethanol case study. Whether it was for reasons of national security or global warming, the federal
government decided to encourage ethanol production. The result has been disastrous. Ethanol’s benefit to the
environment is now questionable, and the huge diversion of crops from “foods to fuels” is exacerbating a
serious international food crisis. Proponents did not consider such effects when deciding to promote ethanol.
Lack of foresight does not stop the law of unintended consequences, however.
Emissions trading is only equated with incentives by people who under-theorize the
definition of incentive—emissions trading includes government command, it’s not a pure
incentive.
Driesen, Associate Professor @ Syracuse University College of Law ‘98

(David M., “Is emissions trading an economic incentive program?”, Washington and Lee Law Review, Spring,
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3655/is_199804/ai_n8791954, Accessed 7/17/08)
I. Introduction Is an emissions trading program' an economic incentive program? Emissions trading programs
allow polluters to avoid pollution reductions at a regulated pollution source, if they provide an equivalent
reduction elsewhere.2 Most scholars, government officials, and practitioners equate emissions trading with
economic incentives, but they do not define "economic incentives."
This failure to define economic incentives leaves unsupported the suggestion that emissions trading realizes
environmental goals through economic incentives, but that traditional regulations (rules that limit discharges
of pollutants into the environment without allowing trading) do not. Both traditional regulation and emissions
trading rely upon the threat of a monetary penalty to secure compliance with government commands setting
emission limitations.3 Perhaps neither traditional regulation nor emissions trading should be considered
economic incentive programs, because both rely upon government commands.4 Or perhaps both should be
considered economic incentive programs, because monetary penalties provide a crucial economic incentive
in both systems.
Rather than define economic incentives, scholars employ a conventional dichotomy that contrasts "command
and control" regulations (rules that dictate precisely how a polluter must clean-up) with economic
incentives.5 They claim that command and control regulations work inefficiently, discourage innovation, and
fail to provide continuous incentives to reduce pollution, but that emissions trading and other economic
incentive programs overcome these problems.6
Emissions trading mirrors traditional regulation—it makes little use of incentives.

Part IV develops a true economic incentives theory to describe the requisites for programs that will actually
induce more innovation and continuous improvement than traditional regulation or emissions trading.31
Pollution taxes may provide continuous incentives for innovation in theory, but taxes rely upon government
decision making as the stimulant for reductions.32 Making economic competition to reduce pollution the
source of economic incentives, rather than the magnitude of politically-determined fees may do more to
stimulate innovation and continuous improvement.33 Emissions trading has limited utility, because it makes
little use of economic incentives, suffers from many of the impediments that frustrate the traditional
regulatory system, and creates new enforcement and design difficulties.34
Emissions trading relies on disincentives of financial penalties for non-compliance, the
same as traditional regulation.

An emissions trading program relies upon not just the same decisionmaking processes as traditional
regulation, but also the same negative economic incentive that traditional regulation uses; the prospect of a
monetary penalty for non-compliance. A pollution source may comply by either reducing emissions locally
or purchasing credit.2" If the source fails to do either, it risks a financial penalty. A trading program's ability
to motivate innovation and good environmental performance depends on at least three factors: (1) the
stringency of the emission limitations governing pollution sources; (2) the size of possible monetary
penalties; and (3) the likelihood that the government or citizens will catch non-complying polluters.203 If
regulators use emissions trading as a means of providing the same total emission reductions as a traditional
program, emissions trading may provide less potent negative economic incentives to reduce pollution than a
comparable traditional regulation, because the emission reduction obligation and monetary penalties may
remain the same while evading regulatory obligations becomes easier. It is easier for polluters to evade
regulatory obligations when the complexity of enforcement increases, thereby decreasing the chances that a
government enforcer will have time to detect failures to provide contemplated real reductions. Emissions
trading requires an enforcer wishing to determine whether a buyer of emissions credits has satisfied an
obligation to verify the amount of reductions foregone at the buyer's plant (which requires knowledge of
current and baseline emissions from the uncontrolled source) and to evaluate whether the claimed reductions
occurred at the source of the credits. The enforcer must run numerous other checks to make sure that no
double counting or other gaming is going on." Hence, agencies relying upon trading need more resources to
verify compliance than agencies relying upon traditional regulation.2'5 Evasion of real emission reductions is
easier in programs that do not require strict monitoring of pollution from all potential sources of credits and
debits. Facilities subject to an emissions trading regime without adequate monitoring may pollute more than
the law permits, because no monitoring detects the exceedances, just as in traditional regulation. Moreover,
these undetected noncompliant facilities may claim emission credits for emitting less than the standard
requires. The sale of these credits will justify increased pollution at a second facility. Hence, inadequate
monitoring may prove twice as detrimental in an emissions trading scheme because monitoring inadequacies
tend to permit increased emissions at one facility and simultaneously justify a second increase at some other
facility. This particular problem, however, may not apply to emissions trading programs that feature accurate,
reliable monitoring.
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade – Aff Interp Unlimiting
If ‘incentive’ includes both negative and positive motivators, then the interpretation
includes ALL regulatory programs.

The lack of innovation in response to the emissions trading regime also raises the question whether emissions
trading programs really are economic incentive programs. A clear theory of economic incentives may help in
designing programs that will provide adequate incentives to motivate innovation and continuous reduction of
pollution. III Defining Economic Incentives and Understanding Emissions Trading This Part asks whether
emissions trading relies upon economic incentives to a greater extent than traditional regulation. The
possibility of a negative answer reveals some theoretical limits to emissions trading as a spur to innovation
and continuous improvement.
A. A Broad Preliminary Definition of Economic Incentives Many scholars advocate increased reliance upon
economic incentives to achieve environmental goals. But what precisely is an economic incentive? What
distinguishes reliance upon economic incentives from reliance upon traditional regulation to meet
environmental goals?
An economic incentive program can be defined as any program that provides an economic benefit for
pollution reductions or an economic penalty for pollution. Defining economic incentives to include both
positive and negative incentives includes pollution taxes in the definition.' Does command and control
regulation qualify as an economic incentive program under this definition? Imagine a pure command and
control law. The law commands polluters to perform specific pollution reducing acts, but provides no
penalties for non-compliance. This law would probably motivate little or no pollution reduction, because
polluters could violate the commands without consequence.156 Command and control regulation only works
when an enforcement mechanism exists.'57 Traditional regulation relies upon a negative economic incentive
- a monetary penalty for non-compliance - as the principle inducement to comply with regulatory
requirements, true command and control requirements, such as work practice standards, and the more
common performance standards.lss Indeed, a traditional regulation's success depends heavily upon the
adequacy of these monetary penalties.l59
A formal definition of an economic incentive program as any program relying on positive or negative
economic inducements to secure pollution reductions plausibly applies to just about any regulatory program.
To evaluate possible explanations for the dichotomy's assumption that emissions trading relies on economic
incentives, but traditional regulation does not, a functional analysis is helpful. Parties to this debate need to
analyze whether emissions trading overcomes traditional regulation's weaknesses in spurring innovation and
providing continuous incentives. This will require examination of the sources of economic inducements, the
financing mechanisms, the likely responses of regulated polluters (both strategic and desired), and the
governmental role in emissions trading. These questions provide the tools to develop a functional theory of
economic incentives.
If cap and trade is an incentive, then so is ANY program which regulates OR deregulates
Johnson, Environmental Law Professor and Associate Dean @ Mercer University Law
School, 2001
(Stephen M., Economics, Equity, and the Environment, p. 6)
4. “Environmental Incentives”: A New Approach: Prof. David Driesen criticizes the use of the term
“economic incentives” to refer to pollution trading programs, taxes, and similar programs, as he notes that
“[a]ny program to regulate or deregulate creates economic incentives.” See David M. Driesen, Is Emissions
Trading an Economic Incentive Program?: Replacing the Command-and-Control/Economic Incentive
Dichotomy, 55 WASH. & LEE L. REV. 289, 296 (1998).
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade – Aff Interp Unlimiting
“Incentive” is a meaningless category if it becomes overbroad and includes emissions
trading- that opens the door to all traditional regulation mechanisms.

The emissions trading example teaches that mimicking free market features that do not coincide with desired
policy outcomes proves counterproductive. Emissions trading programs, although they create no special net
incentives to reduce emissions, encourage trade in emission reduction credits. As mentioned above, one can
always motivate trading by allowing pollution sources to avoid real reduction obligations by purchasing
paper credits or allowing poorly monitored emissions reduction claims to become creditable. While this may
create a robust market, it produces cost savings through inferior performance.222 A theory focusing on
developing robust markets leads to investment of scarce public resources in programs that fail to use
economic incentives to motivate at least equivalent environmental achievement at lower cost. The emissions
trading example reveals that the term "economic incentive" has very little meaning if defined to include
everything that relies on some kind of monetary penalty or benefit. Indeed, to the extent the term "economic
incentive" should not apply to traditional regulation, it also should not apply to emissions trading. Both types
of programs rely on monetary penalties to induce compliance with government set limits. Neither creates
incentives for sources to continuously realize net reductions substantially surpassing the specifically
mandated reductions.
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade- Incentives distinct from
Command/Control
Even if disincentives are topical, only PURE incentive programs based on positive or
negative inducements should be included—emission trading also includes government
commands in the form of the ‘cap’.

IV. True Economic Incentives This Part develops a theory of true economic incentives as an alternative to
reliance upon repeated governmental decisions concerning the scale of emission reductions. Emissions
trading does not provide a meaningful alternative to traditional programs, because it relies upon government
decisions about the scale of reductions instead of decentralized responses to continuous incentives to reduce
pollution. Hence, it makes sense to distinguish true economic incentive programs, programs that rely solely
on positive and negative economic inducements to secure reductions, from mixed programs like emissions
trading and traditional regulation, that rely on a combination of negative economic inducements, in the form
of monetary penalties for noncompliance, and government commands.' This Part discusses economic
incentive programs that use economic incentives to overcome traditional regulation 's weak stimulation of
innovation and continuous improvement. It discusses the classic economic incentive of a pollution tax.u4
While this incentive does create an incentive for continuous improvement, unlike emissions trading, it still
relies largely on government decision making, which may weaken the incentive's ability to stimulate
innovation. This Part also discusses the creation of more dynamic economic incentives that rely upon private
initiative, rather than government decision making, to drive innovation.
Tradable permits include command and control—it’s an incentive regulation, which at best
makes them extra-topical.
Kuttner, Co-founder and on the Board of Directors @ the Economic Policy Institute ’99
(Robert, Everything for Sale: The Virtues and Limits of Markets, p. 327)
Finally, the success of incentive regulation in the case of acid rain does not mean that it is a suitable approach
for every kind of environmental regulation. This works for acid rain because the problem is national, the
sources of pollution are disparate and essentially fungible, and the technology for measuring emissions is
relatively precise. The tradable-permits regime can involve a blend of command-and-control and incentive
regulations. Other kinds of regulation necessarily require commands directly. A great many chemicals, for
example, are so toxic that it makes policy sense simply to ban them rather than to rig up some kind of market
in the right to use them at a very high price.
In sum, there is plenty of room for the market and marketlike regulation in achieving social goals—just as
there is room for the market in a mixed economy. But incentive regulation and the price mechanism do not
offer a superior approach at all times in all cases. And incentive regulation is still regulation. Only people
with a utopian view of markets should find these conclusions surprising.
Disincentives Link- Cap and Trade- Incentives distinct from
Command/Control
Cap and trade is not a purely incentive based approach—it contains elements of command
and control
Cole, M. Dale Palmer Professor, Indiana University Law School, 2000

(Daniel H., “Environmental Instrument Choice in a Second-Best World: A Comment on Professor Richards”, Duke
Environmental Law and Policy Forum, Volume X, No. 2, Spring,
http://www.law.duke.edu/shell/cite.pl?10+Duke+Envtl.+L.+&+Pol'y+F.+287#B15)
Richards' general thesis seems beyond legitimate dispute. His taxonomy appears to provide a clear
improvement over the more simplistic comparative environmental-policy analyses that he abjures. In his
view, the economic literature on environmental protection has focused on too few policy options and has
over-emphasized the differences among those options. Indeed, the distinction between command-and-control
regulations and economic instruments, such as tradable permits, is "not as stark as it appears," because "most
of the market approaches that have been used in the United States operate within the standard command-and-
control framework."13 As Cole and Grossman have observed, tradable permit programs are basically
commands-without-control.14
AT: Revenue Invested in Alternative Energy
Putting money into R and D just lets the government pick winners—the private sector
promotes innovation better on its own.
Winegarden, economic consultant to corporations and policy and trade associations, 2008
(Wayne, “‘Cap and Trade’ Fallacies”, June 21, http://www.townhall.com/Common/PrintPage.aspx?g=8dc8fdb8-
ad24-4c87-8759-4130ad6d52b0&t=c, Accessed 7/17/08)
Fallacy #3: Cap and Trade provides resources to invest in alternative energy technologies: In order to
implement a cap and trade regulation, the rights to emit GHGs must be distributed. These rights can be given
away for free by the government, in which the beneficiaries receive a very valuable gift from the
government. Or, the rights can be sold to the GHG emitters, typically through auction. If the government
auctions the right to emit GHG emissions, the public sector will receive a huge windfall of revenues
estimated in the trillions of dollars. Plans to spend this money abound. Investing in alternative energy
technologies is one of the oft-cited uses for the new found spending power.
Once again, the facts tell a different story. The ethanol disaster is not unique: history is replete with failed
technology predictions. Hobbling the private sector by transferring a substantial amount of resources to the
public sector will not foster technological innovation. Instead, it empowers the government to choose which
prospective alternative energy technologies should be supported. We are then betting our energy future on the
wisdom and knowledge of the energy scientists on Capitol Hill.
Global warming should not be used as an excuse to increase the size of government. The most assured means to
obtain effective alternative energy technologies is to allow the private sector to continually experiment (and often
fail) with different ideas.
Disincentives Link- Carbon Tax
Incentives include investment and tax breaks— carbon taxes are disincentives.
Dean Petrich, CEO of Aqua Alternatives, 2008

(February 27, “Mass Transit”, http://www.enviroalternatives.com/masstransit.html, Accessed 7/16/08)
Government comes into play for both incentives (tax breaks, investments in new technologies) and disincentives
(carbon tax, fuel tax, etc.). But the market ultimately will have its say. So what does the future automobile look like?
Well, If you bought a new Prius recently you know that alot of people are interested in the 47 miles to the gallon it
gets. The Oak Ridge National Lab last year did some work forecasting possible hybrid share of the vehicle market in
the U.S. They calculated that diesels and hybrids together could capture 40 percent or more of the light-duty vehicle
market by 2012. You can now also find biodiesel distributors serving just about every state, but most especially on
the two coasts and in the Midwest. The National Biodiesel Board estimates that U.S. producers have a combined
current capacity of 150 million gallons per year, although in 2004, they produced only 30 million gallons. So the
potential to meet demand is there, but when will demand meet the potential? There are also people out there who
have been driving fully-electric cars for years and have not been to the gas station once in that time. Yet present-day
electric-vehicle technology (which allows you to plug into the power produced by residential solar panels, for
example) is not being talked about by mainstream media. The same thing (relative oddball obscurity) would have
happened to hybrids, were it not for the doggedness of Honda and Toyota. A new technology needs a resolute
champion. Some of the more amazing success stories needed corporate "parents." No automaker took on electric
vehicles in that manner. Honda and Toyota did take that role with hybrids, even though it did not necessarily look
like a winning strategy.
“Pollution taxes” are a disincentive—they discourage harmful activities
Convention on Biological Diversity Reference, No Date

(http://www.cbd.int/incentives/negative.shtml, Accessed 7/16/2008)
Negative incentive measures or disincentives are mechanisms designed to discourage activities that are
harmful for biodiversity. Examples of disincentives are user fees or pollution taxes.
Carbon tax is a disincentive
Sweeney, Ph.D., award winning business and technology journalist 6/5/2008

(Dan, “Carbon Finance”, http://www.alternatefuelsworld.com/carbon-finance.htm, Accessed 7/16/08)
We can't complete a basic overview of carbon finance without making mention of carbon taxes. Carbon taxes
are not in fact directly related to cap and trade, but they are very much a part of carbon finance in that they
represent an alternative method for managing emissions through financial disincentives.
A carbon tax is government levy on CO2 emitted into the atmosphere in amounts beyond the maximum
permissible for an individual organization. Carbon taxes are generally associated with caps of one sort or
another but no assumption is made as to the existence of offsets that would reduce an organization's carbon
tax liability per a given level of emissions. Instead the tax might be seen as a stimulus for directly reducing
emissions.
Incentives can be Positive or Negative
Incentives can be negative or positive—in the real world, a blend of both is usually used.
Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, coordinated by the United Nations Environment

Programme, 2003
(Co-Chairs: Kanchan Chopra, Institute of Economic Growth, India, and Rik Leemans, Wageningen University,
Ecosystems and Human Well-Being, Volume 3: Policy Responses, p. 132)
“Incentives" broadly cover any mechanism for changing actions. Individuals make decisions based on
preferences, opportunities, and constraints. Economic incentives can alter the outcome of a decision process
by changing the constraints or the relative net benefits of the set of opportunities. The institutional and
market setting in which the decision is made affects the relative values of opportunities or constraints.
Incentives are recognized as a key issue for biodiversity conservation. For example, Article 11 of the CBD
states that “each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate, adopt economically and
socially sound measures that act as incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of components of
biological diversity.”
Incentives may be negative (disincentives) such as taxation or access and user fees, or positive, such as tax
credits. Responses that create positive incentives work by altering an individual’s behavior toward more
conservation activities, generally by establishing a mechanism through which the individual captures, or is
compensated for creating, some of the social benefits associated with conserving biodiversity. Negative
incentives aim at reducing negative impacts on biodiversity by ensuring that full costs of resource
exploitation are paid. Typically a combination of negative and positive incentives will be used to halt losses
of biodiversity.
A combination of controls and positive incentives will be more cost effective than relying on one or the other,
and hence will be more sustainable in the long run. Positive incentives can be used to compensate people for
loss of access to resources within Pas. Wells et al. (1992) caution against making the unsupported assumption
that people made better off by development projects will refrain automatically from illegal exploitation of a
nearby PA; to increase conservation activities, the compensation must have some mechanism for creating a
conservation incentive within the decision framework. In addition, incentives are unlikely to work without a
monitoring and enforcement system.
Although many underlying principles for introducing incentives have been discussed, interventions must be case
specific, and approaches typically will include a combination of incentive measures that may include economic and
regulatory measures as well as measures such as stakeholder involvement and public education, to build an enabling
framework (OECD 1999). The classification of incentives as positive or negative relates to the actor’s behavior.
From the perspective of the implementation of incentives as a response, the distinction between indirect and direct
incentives is more important. Both positive and negative incentives can be direct or indirect.
Incentives can be Positive or Negative
Incentives can be positive or negative, and negative incentives are used to fund positive
incentives, proving there is no clear distinction.
Driesen, Associate Professor @ Syracuse University College of Law 2003

(David M., “Does Emissions Trading Encourage Innovation?”, Environmental Law Reporter, 33 ELR 10094,
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/1/0/Driesen2.pdf, Accessed 7/17/08)
The law can apply either positive economic incentives (revenue increases or cost
decreases) or negative economic incentives (revenue decreases or cost increases) to polluters.
This reveals a possibility that has received too little attention.161 Negative economic incentives
can fund positive economic incentives.
Governments have designed programs that use negative economic incentives to fund
positive economic incentives. New Zealand addressed the depletion of its fishery by imposing
fees on fishing (a negative economic incentive) and using revenue from these fees to pay some
fishermen to retire (a positive economic incentive). This may reduce pressure on the fish if fees
are high enough.162 The California legislature has considered a program (called Drive ++) that
involves imposing a fee upon consumers purchasing an energy inefficient or high pollution
vehicle and using the proceeds to fund a rebate on the purchase of an energy efficient vehicle or
low polluting vehicle.163 Similarly, New Hampshire officials have proposed an “Industry Average
Performance System” that redistributes pollution taxes to the polluting industry in ways that
favor lower emissions.164
Incentives include fear of punishment
Answers.com, 2008
(“Incentive” Answers.com: Business & Finance. http://www.answers.com/topic/incentive?cat=biz-fin date accessed:
July 5, 2008)
Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or
motivates effort.
[Middle English, from Late Latin incentīvum, from neuter of incentīvus, inciting, from Latin, setting the tune,
from incentus, past participle of incinere, to sound : in-, intensive pref.; see in–2 + canere, to sing.]
Alternative Energy Incentives include Research Grants
Providing funding for alternative energy research is alternative energy incentives.
Green Business Weekly Report, 2006

(“Senate finance panels eyes alternative energy incentives”, July 5)
The Senate Finance Committee is planning a July 19 markup of energy legislation that will include
incentives for alternative fuels. The upcoming legislation is part of broader congressional efforts to address
rising gasoline prices, prior to this fall's midterm election, through a series of proposals to reduce the
country's dependence on foreign oil. Democratic sources say a key proposal in the upcoming markup will
be the development of a Department of Energy program modeled after the Pentagon's advanced
research program. The Advanced Research Projects Energy Act was originally proposed last January by
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). The program is
intended to jump start clean-energy research by offering $9 billion in federal grants over four years to
private companies, universities and other research groups. A similar proposal has been offered in the
House by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). In the Senate, the Finance Committee markup is part of a broader
strategy to address public outcry over rising energy prices after Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN)
recently asked all chairmen to submit to him by mid-July all proposals for energy-related legislation.
Alternative Energy Incentives include Tax Credits
Tax credits are effective alternative energy incentives.
Dufour, The Hill, 2003

(“Senators introduce alternative energy incentives”, March 19, Pg. 27)
The four Senate committee leaders with jurisdiction over energy taxes and energy policy last week
introduced a bill that would provide tax incentives for the production of alternative energy.
The Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2003 (S. 597) was introduced by Finance Committee Chairman Chuck
Grassley (R-Iowa), Finance Committee ranking member Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Energy and Natural
Resources Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Energy Committee ranking member Jeff Bingaman (D-
N.M.).
"It makes sense to use the tax code to develop alternative energy," Grassley said. "Cutting taxes is an
effective way to encourage positive, environmentally conscious ways to produce electricity and fuel. I'm
glad to work with my colleagues to advance a good, green energy package."
Baucus added: "I'm pleased to be working together to introduce this important energy tax package that will
form the core of a strong energy strategy. Our forward thinking energy tax package will reduce our
dependence on foreign oil imports and encourage energy conservation through tax incentives. Given
the rising gasoline and oil prices, it's important that we take advantage of this opportunity to provide relief to
consumers across the country."
The bill is similar to the energy tax incentives bill, developed by Grassley and Baucus, that received
overwhelming support by the full Senate in April 2002. The bill never received final approval because
negotiations between the House and Senate over a broader energy policy bill never yielded a final product
before Congress adjourned.
Tax credits encourage alternative energy development, acting as an effective incentive.
Herszenhorn, New York Times, 2008

(David M., “House passes renewable energy credits”, Pg. 20)
The House on Wednesday approved a bill to extend more than $17 billion in tax credits and other
incentives to encourage the production of energy from solar, wind and other renewable sources, and to
promote energy conservation. The bill would be financed by ending tax incentives for oil and natural gas
producers. Democratic leaders in the House hailed the legislation as a step toward energy independence and a
moral victory for protecting the environment, by encouraging production of clean alternative fuels. But the
White House threatened to veto the bill, saying it would be a mistake to increase the tax burden on American
oil companies. Similar legislation has failed to pass the Senate on three occasions over the last year,
including an effort in December when the package of tax credits for renewable energy fell just one vote short
of the 60 needed to advance it. Senate Democrats say they still hope to get it approved.
Alternative Energy Incentives include Prizes
Offering prizes for alternative energy breakthroughs are alternative energy incentives.
Grand Rapids Press, 2006

(“The U.S. Senate should support creating a contest to award breakthroughs in hydrogen technology”, June 12, Pg.
A)
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to award prize money to promote advances in
hydrogen energy. This is a creative idea. The $10 million grand prize is a small price to pay for the
breakthrough technologies that could arise from spurring partnerships. Obviously, this modest effort isn't
meant to solve the nation's energy problems. But it is an opportunity to draw out new and a greater spectrum
of ideas. The Senate should endorse this common sense incentive program to expedite a hydrogen
economy. The United States consumes 25 percent of the world's oil but has less than 3 percent of its reserves.
The country needs alternative fuels that are reliable, cost-effective and environmentally safe. There are
conventional research programs but the prizes are just an extra incentive to jump-start the alternative
energy industry. The legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers and supported by all West
Michigan's Representatives, is modeled after the successful Ansari X Prize, which resulted in the first
privately funded suborbital human spaceflight last year. The competition drew 26 contestants that, combined,
spent more than $100 million to claim the $10 million prize. The so-called H-Prize bill directs the energy
secretary to contract with a private foundation to create criteria for the prizes and administer the contest. The
legislation sets up three prize categories over a 10-year-period. Every two years, the government will award
four $1 million prizes for advances in production, storage distribution and utilization of hydrogen. One $4
million prize would be awarded for advancement in prototype hydrogen vehicles. The grand prize of $10
million is intended for transformational advancement in hydrogen technology with the promise of $40
million in private matching funds. The potential payoff in finding solutions to our energy problems is
clear, evident by the 416 to 6 lopsided House vote. Competition can be inspiring. In addition to seeing
some universities partnering with private companies and researchers, the contest could attract some unknown
talent. Some of the best and brightest the legislation hopes to attract can be found here in Michigan. The state
is ranked fifth in the nation for alternative energy research with some of the top companies.
Alternative Energy Incentives include Energy
Efficiency/Conservation
Contextual evidence proves: Energy efficiency is an alternative energy incentive.
Gelles, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2007

(Jeff, “Pa.’s strategy in quest for energy ideas, September 30, pg. E01)
Rendell would spend the money on a mix of alternative-energy incentives, including grants and loans,
and efficiency measures. For instance, residential customers would be eligible for $100 rebates for
buying efficient Energy Star-certified refrigerators and air conditioners. Some spending is indirect.
Idaho, Montana and New York join California in offering home-weatherization tax breaks. Maryland,
Nevada, New York, Montana and Oregon offer them to commercial "green buildings." How else would
the plan promote efficiency? A key difference among states is who runs conservation programs. In some,
such as Vermont, state agencies take the lead. In others, utilities are required to play the major role. Rendell's
plan envisions a mix. Martin Kushler, who runs the ACEEE's utility program, says California's policies
deserve much of the credit for the state's miserly energy use. Californians use about 40 percent less electricity
per capita than the national average, and their power consumption has remained steady as demand elsewhere
has risen. Kushler said one key did not cost ratepayers anything; it saves them money: California requires
utilities to make energy efficiency "their first-priority resource," Kushler said. Energy experts like to call
efficiency "the first fuel." "The notion is that you pay for energy-efficiency resources just like you'd pay for a
power plant," Kushler said. On average, U.S. utilities can buy a kilowatt-hour of efficiency for about 3 cents,
vs. 7 cents for a kilowatt-hour from a new coal-fired plant, he said. That's an approach Rendell's plan seeks to
emulate. According to a recent study by PennFuture, the environmental advocacy group, a well-designed
efficiency program could virtually eliminate Pennsylvania's projected 1.5 percent annual growth in power
demand. Without the need for new power plants and transmission lines, Pennsylvanians could save $9 billion
to $12 billion over the next decade, the study said.


United States
Includes territories and possessions
TradePrism.com Global Trade Glossary, 2001

(https://www.tradeprism.com/library/help/glossary/u.shtm, accessed 7/4/08)
United States United States, when used in the geographical sense, includes the several states, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the insular possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any territory or possession of the United States, and any
territory or possession over which the United States exercises any powers of administration, legislation, and
jurisdiction; including offshore areas within their jurisdiction pursuant to section 3 of the Submerged Lands
Act (43 U. S. C. 1311), and all territories, dependencies, and possessions of the United States, including
foreign trade zones, and also including the outer continental shelf, as defined in section 2(a) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act.
Includes land, sea, and airspace; also areas where US has sole jurisdiction or defense
responsibility.
DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, 12 April 2001

(JP 1-02, Amended through 30 May 2008
http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/doddict/data/u/index.html)
United States
(DOD) Includes the land area, internal waters, territorial sea, and airspace of the United States, including the
following: a. US territories, possessions, and commonwealths; and b. Other areas over which the US
Government has complete jurisdiction and control or has exclusive authority or defense responsibility.
The territory over which the sovereignty of the U.S. extends
SCOTUS 1945
(Hooven & Allison Co. v. Evatt, 324 U.S. 652 [1945], http://supreme.justia.com/us/324/652/case.html)
The term "United States" may be used in any one of several senses. It may be merely the name of a sovereign
occupying the position analogous to that of other sovereigns in the family of nations. It may designate the
territory over which the sovereignty of the United States extends, or it may be the collective name of the
states which are united by and under the Constitution.
List of Incentives Mechanisms
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 2007
(DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote
renewable energy and energy efficiency, maintained by the North Carolina State Univ. Solar Center,
http://www.dsireusa.org/glossary/glossary.cfm?CurrentPageID=8&EE=1&RE=1, Accessed 7/17/08)
Financial Incentives Rules, Regulations & Policies

Bond Programs Appliance/Equipment Efficiency Standards
Corporate Tax Incentives Building Energy Codes
Grant Programs Contractor Licensing
Green Building Incentives Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Industry Recruitment/Support Equipment Certification Requirements
Leasing/Lease Purchase Programs Generation Disclosure Rules
Loan Programs Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation Policies
Personal Tax Incentives Interconnection Standards
Production Incentives Line Extension Analysis
Property Tax Incentives Mandatory Utility Green Power Option
Rebate Programs Net Metering
Sales Tax Incentives Public Benefit Funds
Utility Rate Discounts Renewables Portfolio Standards/Set Asides
Solar and Wind Access Laws
Solar and Wind Permitting Standards
List of Federal Incentives
PurePoint Energy 3/24/08
(“Government Incentives”, http://www.purepointenergy.com/government.htm, Accessed 7/17/08)
GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES
The government is taking a strong stance to support the development of renewable energy technologies. With
subsidies and the right market conditions, renewable energy generators are as cost effective as traditional
fossil fuel power plants. There are numerous federal and state incentives that apply to projects of all scales.
PurePoint Energy’s thorough knowledge of these incentives will save your project time and capital.
FEDERAL INCENTIVES
Residential Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a 30% tax credit up to $2,000 for the purchase and installation of
residential solar electric and solar water heating property. An individual can take both a 30% credit up to the
$2,000 cap for a photovoltaics system and a 30% credit up to a separate $2,000 cap for a solar water heating
system. A 30% tax credit up to $500 per 0.5 kilowatt (kW) is also available for fuels cells. (dsireusa.org)
Business Energy Tax Credit
For eligible equipment installed from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008, the credit is set at 30%
of expenditures for solar technologies, fuel cells and solar hybrid lighting; Maximum incentive: $500 per 0.5
kW for fuel cells; no maximum specified for other technologies. (dsireusa.org)
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)
REPC now applies to the following resources: wind, closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal
energy, small irrigation power (150 kW - 5 MW), municipal solid waste, landfill gas, refined coal,
hydropower, and Indian coal.
The Renewable Electricity Production Credit (PTC) is a per kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity generated
by qualified energy resources. The PTC provides a tax credit of 1.5¢/kWh (in 1993 dollars and indexed for
inflation) for wind, closed-loop biomass and geothermal. Currently, the PTC for these technologies is
2.0¢/kWh. Electricity from open-loop biomass, small irrigation hydroelectric, landfill gas, municipal solid
waste resources, and hydropower receive half that rate -- currently 1.0¢/kWh. (dsireusa.org)
Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
Under the Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS), businesses can recover investments in
certain property through depreciation deductions. The MACRS establishes a set of class lives for various types
of property, ranging from three to 50 years, over which the property may be depreciated. For solar, wind and
geothermal property placed in service after 1986, the current MACRS property class is five years. With the
passage of the the Energy Policy Act of 2005, fuel cells, microturbines, and solar hybrid lighting technologies
are now classified as 5-year property as well. (dsireusa.org)
List of Federal Incentives
http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/genericfederal.cfm?currentpageid=1&search=federal&state=US&RE=1&E
E=1, Accessed 7/17/08)
Federal Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Note: Only selected federal incentives are provided. See What federal incentives does DSIRE track for more
information.
Financial Incentives
Corporate Deduction
Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
Corporate Depreciation
Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) + Bonus Depreciation
Corporate Exemption
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)
Corporate Tax Credit
Business Energy Tax Credit
Energy-Efficient New Homes Tax Credit for Home Builders
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)
Federal Grant Program
Tribal Energy Program Grant
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - Grants
Federal Loan Program
Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)
Energy Efficient Mortgage
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - Loans
Personal Exemption
Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)
Personal Tax Credit
Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit
Residential Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
Production Incentive
Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)
Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Incentives
U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center
Rules, Regulations & Policies

Appliance/Equipment Efficiency Standards
Federal Appliance Standards
Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Energy Goals and Standards for Federal Buildings
Energy Reduction Goals for Federal Agencies
Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation
U.S. Federal Government - Green Power Purchasing Goal
Interconnection
Interconnection Standards for Small Generators
Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Policies
U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center
AT: Your list only includes ‘selected’ Federal incentives
http://www.dsireusa.org/faq/faq.cfm?&EE=1&RE=1&#federal, Accessed 7/17/08)
What types of federal incentives does DSIRE track?

DSIRE tracks federal financial incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency – those
designed primarily for residents, businesses, and other end-users rather than funding opportunities for
research & development, outreach, or inter-governmental programs. New federal programs and incentives for
renewable energy will be added to DSIRE as they become available.

http://www.dsireusa.org/faq/faq.cfm?&CurrentPageID=9&EE=1&RE=1#track, Accessed 7/17/08)
What types of renewable energy incentives does DSIRE track?

The DSIRE project tracks information on state, utility, local, and selected federal incentives that promote the
use of renewable energy technologies. For more information on federal incentives, see What federal
incentives does DSIRE track. On the DSIRE website, incentives are grouped into two categories as follows:
(1) Financial Incentives: tax incentives, grants, loans, rebates, industry recruitment, bond programs, and
production incentives.
(2) Rules, Regulations, & Policies: public benefits funds, renewables portfolio standards, net metering,
interconnection, extension analysis, generation disclosure, contractor licensing, equipment certification,
solar/wind access laws, and construction & design standards (including building energy codes and energy
standards for public buildings), required utility green power options, and green power
purchasing/aggregation policies.
List of Federal Alternative Fuels Incentives
US Dept. of Energy, Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, List of Federal
Incentives and Laws, 3/11/2008
(http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/fed_summary.php/afdc/US/0, Accessed 7/17/08)
United States (Federal) Incentives and Laws
Our federal incentives and laws are categorized here as either Incentives, Laws and Regulations, or Programs, which
could be funding opportunities or other federal initiatives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, advanced technologies,
or air quality. To sort information by sponsoring agency instead of category, click the Agency radio button below.
Additional incentives may also be available on the Clean Cities Financial Opportunities Web page.
Incentives
Alternative Fuel Excise Tax Credit
Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit
Biobased Transportation Research Funding
Biodiesel Income Tax Credit
Biodiesel Mixture Excise Tax Credit
Biomass Research and Development Initiative
Fuel Cell Motor Vehicle Tax Credit
Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Tax Credit
Light-Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Advanced Lean Burn Vehicle Tax Credit
Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle (QAFMV) Tax Credit
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant
Small Agri-Biodiesel Producer Tax Credit
Small Ethanol Producer Tax Credit
Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC)
Laws and Regulations
Aftermarket Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversions
Alternative Fuel Definition
Alternative Fuel Definition - Internal Revenue Code
Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption
Idle Reduction Facilities Regulation
Import Duty for Fuel Ethanol
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program
Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Program
Updated Fuel Economy Test Procedures and Labeling
Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements for Federal Fleets
Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements for Private and Local Government Fleets
Vehicle Acquisition and Fuel Use Requirements for State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets
Vehicle Incremental Cost Allocation
Programs
Air Pollution Control Program
Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Program
Biobased Products and Bioenergy Program
Clean Agriculture USA
Clean Cities
Clean Construction USA
Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP)
Clean Fuels Grant Program
Clean Ports USA
Clean School Bus USA
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Loan Guarantee Program
National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
National Fuel Cell Bus Technology Development Program (NFCBP)
Pollution Prevention Grants Program
SmartWay Transport Partnership
State Energy Program (SEP) Funding
Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) Program

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Gonzaga Debate Institute 2008 1

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THIS FILE:

united states government

should (shŏŏd) Pronunciation Key

1. Used to express obligation or duty: You should send her a note.

Stoel Rives- Attorneys at Law, Energy Law Alert, 4/6/06

Responsibility Sharing Report 2000

Corpus Juris Secundum in 44

2. To grow in numbers, become more numerous or frequent, to multiply; esp. by propagation.

3. To become greater in some specified quality or respect; to grow or advance in.

OED Online, 2nd Edition

b. (See quot. 1957.)

7. a. To make more numerous, augment the number of, multiply.

{dag}b. To make fruitful; to cause to yield increase. Obs. nonce-use.

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Energy World Online 2007

“Renewable” doesn’t include nuclear fission.

Ocheltree, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2008

Ocheltree, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2008

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2006

Renewable energy includes the following 7 things -

Office of Geographic and Demographic Analysis 2008

Environmental Protection Agency 2008

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Information Architects Glossary, Online Environmental Dictionary, No Date

Alternative energy excludes fossil fuels

Earthpace LLC, Environmental Consulting Services 2007

National Resources Defense Council Glossary of Environmental Terms, No Date

Alternative energy is non-fossil fuel based- it’s interchangeable with renewables.

Minerals Management Service, U.S. Dept of the Interior, 2008

Alternative energy must be from a renewable, naturally generated source.

Responding To Climate Change, 2007

Alternative is non-traditional power generation

Climal.com, Climate News Database, No Date

Alternative and Renewable Energy

National Resources Defense Council Glossary of Environmental Terms, No Date

Compact OED Online, 3rd Edition

Alternative energy doesn’t deplete natural resources

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Warkentin-Glenn, Electric Power Industry Researcher, former Managing Editor of

Alternative energy includes alternative fuels

GenGreen Foundation Glossary of Environmental Terms, 2008

Energy Information Administraton Energy Glossary, 2/25/08

Electro Industries Glossary of Energy Terms, 2008

‘Alternative’ includes any fuels other than gas or diesel.

EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 08

GTL diesel is an alternative energy source.

Cook, June 3, 2007

Andrew Safran, global head of energy, power and chemicals at Citigroup,

GenGreen Foundation Glossary of Environmental Terms, 2008

Alternative energy includes fuels derived from gas.

Electro Industries Glossary of Energy Terms, 2008

Stafford, Environmental Action Organizer, 2007

Simon, Associate Professor of Political Science @ U Nevada-Reno, 2007

Montague, co-founder and director of Environmental Research Foundation (E.R.F.) in

Pennsylvania’s “Alternative Portfolio Standard” proves that alternative is intentionally

Action PA: Pennsylvania's Environmental Justice Resource, 2004

The Bush administration interprets alternative to include coal.

New York Times, 5/29/07

Electric Utility Week, 12-25-6

Electric Utility Week, 10-24-5

Coal waste is alternative energy