Thursday, October 2, 2008

Google Non-Profit Arm Offers Clean Energy 2030 Proposal


Google Clean Energy 2030 Proposal

From the San Francisco Business Times a story highlighting a Best Practice note that could only be accomplished by #1 Fortune Top 100 employer, Google.

In the article by Steve E.F. Brown reports that Google.org, the philanthropic arm Google Inc., has released a plan intended to stimulate public debate about the current energy crisis facing the United States. The $4.4 trillion plan discusses several ideas that could be used to reduce the United States dependence on fossil fuels by 2030.

Highlights of the plan include:
  • Improved electrical energy efficiency, which will counteract growth in demand and also the expected demand from plug-in electric cars.

  • Replacing all electrical power generation that uses coal and oil for fuel. About half of electrical generation from natural gas would also be replaced, all with renewable sources like wind — both on and offshore — solar and geothermal.

  • Raising standard car fuel efficiency from 31 mpg to 45 mpg.

  • Increasing use of plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars.

  • Replacing cars in business fleets faster.

Google Philanthropy

In 2004, when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote to prospective shareholders about their vision for the company, they outlined a commitment to contribute significant resources, including 1% of Google's equity and profits in some form, as well as employee time, to address some of the world's most urgent problems. That commitment became Google.org.

Google.org is a hybrid philanthropy that uses a range of approaches to help advance solutions within our five initiatives. We operate in a traditional manner by supporting our partner's work with targeted grants. But we can also invest in for-profit endeavors, such as efforts by companies to develop breakthrough renewable energy technologies. Our structure also allows us to lobby for policies that support our philanthropic goals. Additionally, we can tap Google's innovative technology and, most importantly, its inspired workforce. We've already begun to donate and invest Google.org funds, and we expect to continue to do so in the future.


Google also established the Google Foundation in 2005, which is a separate 501(c)(3) private foundation. The Google Foundation is managed by Google.org and supports our mission and core initiatives as one of our sources of funds for grant making. As of May 2008, Google.org has committed over $85 million in grants and investments to further our five initiatives.


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