Gates @ TED on Energy

What, there’s no crisis you say?  Mr. Gates and the jar of domesticated fireflies that accompanied him to TED would disagree as he pointed out that all the world’s batteries could only hold 10 minutes worth of its energy needs.  Working with his former CTO, Nathan Myhrvold, Gates is creating nuclear technology that entails an underground reactor that uses, in part, spent fuel from other reactors so as to make it an even cleaner means of energy.

So what does this all mean for California?  Will Gates weigh in as California grapples with the current assault on AB 32?  Let’s hope he and other visionaries do – so that California can remain the leader in new economy jobs as it continues to prove to the rest of the country that renewable energy is not only environmentally responsible but also economically viable – case in point: CALinnovates member NRG West which owns and operates the largest photovoltaic solar farm in the country in Blythe, CA.

We’re proud that California is blazing the trail in renewable energy.  And it’s not just us.  In the statewide survey we fielded in late January nearly 80% of voters said that they supported legislation that would promote renewable development including the extension of tax benefits.  That’s a tall order with a $20 billion deficit.  But it is California, where the sun shines and the wind blows regardless of who is elected governor.