Energy czar promises “certainty” on energy usage rules - by Carol Wilson

Views and Opinions on Green IT (Oct 8 2009) Power and Cooling , Emissions

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   Most businesses view new government regulations on energy usage much the same way college students view 8 a.m. classes, i.e., as something to be avoided. The reasons are obvious: Government regulations invariably add costs.

   To date, most data center energy savings efforts have also focused on reducing costs, by using server resources more efficiently and cutting energy usage. Even against that backdrop, however, the Obama Administration has said there will be major energy legislation from Congress to set energy reduction targets and impose rules on businesses that dictate how those targets are met. Last week’s comments from the Environmental Protection Agency sealed the deal.

   If there is any good news for businesses in all this, it came this weekend from an appearance by White House climate “czar” Carol Browner at a conference sponsored by the Atlantic. Browner’s comments appear on video here.

   Two things that Browner said might be some consolation. First, Browner said the Obama Administration is committed to the “cap and trade” approach to controlling admissions, which caps what businesses can use but allows them to trade carbon credits to stay under the cap. Browner said previous experience shows this is the least costly approach for businesses.

   Secondly, Browner promised to deliver clear regulations for which businesses can plan. “We need to give the business community certainty and predictability,” she said.

   To be sure, the only thing worse than more regulation is more regulatory uncertainty. It freezes investments and leaves businesses unsure as to the best move forward.  Obama has made it clear the U.S. must join the rest of the world in fighting climate change – now his administration needs to be clear in prescribing how that will happen. 

   
   

   
   

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