A New York Times Jan. 31 article, “China Leading Global Race to Make Clean Energy,” discussed how China is getting ahead of the curve when it comes to clean-energy production.

Though many would find this ridiculous – due to China’s history of environmental degradation and frenzied industrial development – the consequences are very real.

Now, more than ever, green jobs are moving overseas due to a concerted effort to stall clean-energy development in the United States.

In no way are President Barack Obama’s plans for clean energy perfect, but the United States is falling dangerously behind on creating a favorable market for renewable energy.

The ideological battle between Republicans and Democrats in Washington has severely hampered the nation’s ability to produce the next generation of infrastructure and energy. Instead, we have instances of Chinese companies contracting out to wind farm operations in Texas.

Of Iowa’s five major wind-turbine manufacturers, two are from Europe. When will America catch up when it comes to renewable energy?

Braley says groups that claim the energy bill will raise the cost to consumers are “flat wrong.” He says the bill is “gonna create millions of clean energy jobs, it’s gonna reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and it’s going to lower energy bills for the middle class. And despite what MidAmerican is saying, the bill won’t increase prices for consumers, nor will they pay higher taxes for the bill.”

Braley says there’s evidence in the eastern Iowa district he represents that prove MidAmerican wrong. Braley says two of MidAmerican’s customers and consumers who will be paying the most, John Deere and Alcoa are in his district and both support the bill. “And so I guess the question I would have for MidAmerican is, if two of their largest customers are supporting the bill, what is the question they’re having?,” Braley asks.

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As climate change concerns creep into new laws, a recent study shows farm policy already is aiding the cause and has potential to further curb gases that cause global warming.

“Mitigating Global Warming through the Farm Bill,” a study released by the Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), is the first to examine the potential greenhouse-gas savings as a result of the farm bill’s energy title programs.

“This study shows how robust clean-energy programs in the farm bill can counteract global warming while helping farm families and rural communities,” says Charles Kubert, the study’s co-author and ELPC’s senior environmental business specialist.

In a conference call, researchers cited energy crops, wind power, solar power and other clean-power sources as reasons the energy title and on-farm efforts already are making a difference in reduced emissions and has the potential to reduce emissions more if fully supported in the farm bill.

For example, among other figures, the study found:

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Culver was attending the National Governors Association meeting in Philadelphia. He said he prodded Obama, who has promised a massive jobs bill, to include public works provisions that go beyond road and bridge work.

“I particularly focused on the importance of getting our electric grid built out so that Iowa can really maximize our potential to be a net exporter of wind energy,” Culver told reporters in a conference call.

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It’s a good idea that seems to be catching on.

President-elect Barack Obama has embraced calls for “green jobs,” such as retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient and improving mass transit. He recently outlined a two-year stimulus plan that included plans to save or create 2.5 million jobs focused on everything from rebuilding schools to developing alternative energy technologies.

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