Quote:
Originally posted by seretogis
There has to be a benefit to the large energy companies for them to convert to hydrogen. No one in their right mind would spend billions of dollars to convert to something that they will not benefit from in the slightest. Think of this as a step forward, not the entire journey itself.
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First of all, wind, water, and sun all provide natural sources of energy--the means to capture it needs to be developed.
Our government already alocates billions of dollars to various agencies and private corporations for research and contracts. For example, the Bush's hydrogen energy "solution" grants millions of dollars to the research and development. The principle argument for profit (dividends, etc.) in a capitalist society is that private entities risk their capital when they invest. Now, however, private corporations invest government money--and then people pay the corporations for the use of the technology (whose development they already paid for).
I think either private corporations engage in competetive development alongside a nationlized research center or the major contributor of the research funds owns the patent (effectively nationalizing patents). If the people pay for the research through tax money, shouldn't they reap the benefits of their money instead of a private corporation that didn't risk its capital to innovate?