Solyndra Hearings Pit Republicans Directly Against Defense Dept. Drive Toward Energy Alternatives

[bigtree]

from TPM: http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/solyndra-hearings-pit-republicans-against-department-of-defense.php


If House Republicans expected the Solyndra investigation to focus public attention on their opposition to President Obama’s energy policies, by any measure they have succeeded. However, in gunning after the Department of Energy and its solar power loan program they have fallen prey to the law of unintended consequences, and are now heading on a collision course with the Department of Defense . . .

DoD highlighted its alternative energy priorities this fall with a flurry of public activity, coincidentally or not just as the Solyndra investigation was gathering steam. On September 15 the Army stood up its new Energy Initiatives Task Force with the mission of fast-tracking utility scale solar power and other renewable energy installations at its bases . . .

In a speech at the event on October 13 Navy Secretary Ray Mabus forcefully articulated the military reasoning behind the move away from petroleum, both foreign and domestic . . .

Mabus’s remarks were underscored on November 11 when the solar company SunPower Corp. announced that it was moving forward with construction of a utility-scale solar installation for the Navy at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California - and that brings us right back around to the Solyndra investigation.

Practically on the same day that Mabus gave his speech, SunPower Corp. was targeted as “Solyndra 2.0” by conservative media, though for another, separate project called the California Valley Solar Ranch. That effort is a partnership with energy giant NRG, funded with a $1.2 billion loan guarantee from DOE, more than double the amount received by Solyndra . . .


read more: http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/solyndra-hearings-pit-republicans-against-department-of-defense.php

[darth marth]

1. What about the $1.1 trillion contracts given to fraudulent contractors?

Hundreds of defense contractors that defrauded the U.S. military received more than $1.1 trillion in Pentagon contracts during the past decade, according to a Department of Defense report prepared for Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Sanders (I-Vt.) called the report "shocking." He said aggressive steps must be taken to ensure taxpayer dollars aren't wasted.

"The ugly truth is that virtually all of the major defense contractors in this country for years have been engaged in systemic fraudulent behavior, while receiving hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money," said Sanders. "With the country running a nearly $15 trillion national debt, my goal is to provide as much transparency as possible about what is happening with taxpayer money."

The report detailed how the Pentagon paid $573.7 billion during the past 10 years to more than 300 contractors involved in civil fraud cases that resulted in judgments of more than $1 million, $398 billion of which was awarded after settlement or judgment for fraud. When awards to "parent" companies are counted, the Pentagon paid more than $1.1 trillion during the past 10 years just to the 37 top companies engaged in fraud.
http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/13089



This is why we have to take back our TV stations OUR PUBLIC AIRWAVES!

They are still creating the narrative that we all discuss. It is so freaking stupid I could scream!

[bigtree]

2. got it

This thread is about the Defense Dept's drive for renewable energy to fuel their war machines, and Solyndra's challenge to that effort.

[mick063]

3. The Solyndra timeline

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/09/13/317594/timeline-bush-administration-solyndra-loan-guarantee/

[a kennedy]

4. This i very interesting indeed.....

Thanks for posting this.

[bigtree]

5. I think it shows that the product is sound

The problem seems to be that countries like China can produce these panels cheaper. Maybe we need tariffs on Chinese solar products until our manufacturers can develop and market a price-competitive product.

[NYC_SKP]

6. I have four Solyndra 200 watt modules, the product is sound.

You are correct, their exotic design and incredibly high quality just can't compete.

I took a tour of the plant last year, it was like something from the future.

:hi: