Broadband's Impact

National Broadband Plan on Energy & Environment: Green, Lean and Mean

After more recent and serious delving into the merits of The National Broadband Plan, with the usual effects of a clearer understanding; a more interesting and omnipresent realization begins to emerge.

Leonard Grace

Apr 4, 2010 — 2 min read

: Image by Third Way via Flickr

How can we not see, and surely embrace, the positive effects such a plan could have on an energy consuming U.S. thereby creating an energy saving global leader and economic powerhouse with continued and sustained broadband proliferation? It sets before us, waiting to be reviewed and accepted, with its pure intentions of common sense logic. But little has been said or debated, in suggesting that such a direction could save the U.S. economy $billions, while creating tremendous job growth and reviving our economic conundrum.

Smart Energy Distribution

Having a poor communications grid is at the epicenter of our inefficient consumption of fuel, and the recent FCC technology plan takes particular aim at this inefficiency. What can be accomplished by connecting energy companies to a technological Smart Grid within our borders? Power producers and distributors can monitor and direct energy usage, incorporate and connect to more green energy technology sources, in realizing an efficient distribution and networking system of power grids to cut usage by an estimated $140 to $240 billion, courtesy The Climate Group. See (Networking the Green Economy: How Broadband and Related Technologies Can Build a Green Economic Future)

Smart Technologies for both Home & Business

Contemplate a broadband infrastructure connected to every home and business to monitor and control power consumption, appliances, business networking; energy saving concepts that start with a Home Gateway. The opportunity to save energy is boundless. Think of the new jobs created, not only in continuing to build a fast and economical broadband infrastructure, but designing and maintaining the smart technology made useful by universal connectivity. See (Smart grid potential gated by broadband)

Broadband Technology network integration to reduce travel costs

It goes without saying that Americans continue to travel for everything imaginable, and not just for pleasure. Think of the savings associated with having connectedness to telehealth, where physicians can review, diagnose, and treat diseases without an office visit; where companies can communicate and network from long distances without heavy travel; where e-commerce can virtually replace the need to travel for the things out of habit. What could be the possibilities in energy savings of having such a wide-spread networked broadband? See (National Broadband Plan Connecting America: Chapter 12-Energy and the Environment)

Green, Lean & Mean

All constituents should closely study a proposal of such strategic and national importance in support of the adoption and implementation of Chapter 12-Energy and Environment of The National Broadband Plan. It’s not political; but it is a necessity in creating a new economy, reduced energy consumption and dependency, new and sustainable jobs, by connecting all Americans with fast and accessible technologies, while helping to create global leadership in broadband technology. Legislators should make this a priority of research, investigation, and non-partisan collaboration to learn how Americans with Smart Technology can benefit as a result of such a plan.