Project Proposal

And finally, the long-anticipated posting of our project proposal!

Renewable Energy and the Stimulus Package
Cassie, Molly, Tiffany, Joanna, Lauren

Purpose:
To inform users about the background, opportunities, policies, and implementation of renewable energy. At the nexus of so much innovation, we have a unique perspective to offer given our location in Boulder, Colo. This package will look to local labs, sources and strategies to explain the efficacy and potential of the renewable energy revolution. Driven by the current Obama stimulus package that is committed to supporting and investing in renewable energy, this multi-media capsule is both current and relevant.

Scope and scale:
This package will provide basic information about the state of renewable energy and its potential vis-à-vis Obama administration policies. However, it will neither explain detailed scientific mechanisms nor explore all possible energy sources.

Information components/suggested story slugs:
• Federal government policy: Obama’s Stimulus Package
• Opportunities and potential: Analyzing Boulder’s Smart Grid with a potential chart to show flow of energy
• Funding history of renewable energy: Graph of governmental funding changes over time
• Technology (research, development, categories, transfer from development to market):
• Current state of renewable ventures in the US: Map of different renewable hot spots
• Boulder as Model City: local news feed, Climate Smart, local policy measures
• Resources: Multi-media bibliography, glossary, and noted scientists

Initial Divisions of Labor:
Tiffany: Ocean
Joanna: Biomass
Molly: Solar
Cassie: Wind
Lauren: Geo-thermal

Anticipated barriers or obstacles:
Getting too wrapped up in the minutae of scientific explanations and the limitless amount of information/angles we could take.