Jobs. Five million, to be exact. By investing billions of dollars in the development of green technologies while at the same time increasing job training and modernization within the current business infrastructure, the president hopes to use government research and development to develop the new “green energy” industry in a similar way to the development of the semiconductor industry 50 years ago. These jobs specifically include engineering opportunities (bridges, roads, alternative transportation) necessitated by an overhaul of the U.S. infrastructure.

Efficiency. If you ever plan to buy a new sports car, a house, or even a deluxe four-slot toaster, it will be measured against new energy standards. New regulations such as more stringent national fuel-efficiency standards and building codes will be matched by incentives and tax-breaks to construction and utility companies to reduce wasteful practices. As an example to follow, the government will be among the first to begin this extreme makeover, requiring all federal buildings to be zero-emission buildings by 2025.

Throughput. In the name of energy security and economic diversification, the Obama administration supports implementation of current clean coal, nuclear, and renewable energy technologies. It also supports increasing the flow of oil by increasing drilling and opening up new lower-grade domestic deposits. More scientists and engineers will be needed.

Climate change. The president believes that an international cap-and-trade program that limits greenhouse gases will spur innovation and technology as companies will have the need to reduce their emissions as cheaply as possible. This application of the “Porter Hypothesis” is basically a greentax that auctions permits to companies and reallocates the money to climate change research and development. Again, more scientists and engineers needed. And since Obama supports the most stringent greenhouse gas regulation proposal (80 percent below 1990 parts per million levels by 2050), this need for innovation will be even more pressing.

Whether you will encounter it professionally or personally, this new national energy focus will increasingly be a centerpiece of our lives at Rensselaer. More federal funding for sustainable technological development, escalating opportunities for government, corporate, and academic partnerships, and new career paths opening for young professionals and entrepreneurs; all of these things will link our community to this national initiative.