The United States is quickly falling behind Asian rivals in the race to corner the burgeoning global clean energy market, according to a report released last week by the Breakthrough Institute and the Information Technology and Information Foundation.

The new report, "Rising Tigers, Sleeping Giant," is the first to thoroughly benchmark the clean energy competitiveness in four nations: China, Japan, South Korea and the United States. The report analyzes clean energy investments and policy support for research,, manufacturing, and domestic demand, with a particular focus on six key technologies: wind, solar, nuclear, carbon capture and storage, hybrid and electric vehicles and advanced batteries, and high speed rail.

At a briefing hosted by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Breakthrough Institute and ITIF outlined the key findings and their significance for U.S. energy and economic policy. The report's co-authors were joined by Congressmen Ron Klein (D-FL) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) who make remarks underscoring the critical role an effective clean energy economy strategy robust enough to counter Asian challengers will be to America's short-term recovery and long-term economic progress.

You can read an overview and download the report here and watch video of the briefing below (thanks to the folks at ITIF for the video):



EVENT DETAILS

Event: Is the U.S. Losing the Clean Tech Race?
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Location: Senate Energy Committee Hearing Room 366, Dirksen Senate Office Building

Moderator and Presenter
Robert Atkinson (bio)
President, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Presenter
Michael Shellenberger (bio)
President, The Breakthrough Institute

Jesse Jenkin (bio)
Director of Energy and Climate Policy, The Breakthrough Institute

Special Guests
Member of Congress Ron Klein (D-FL) (bio)

Member of Congress Rush Holt (D-NJ) (invited) (bio)

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