Renewable Energy Research & Training Inc.

Apparently, there are many business models associated with the green energy movement, one of which is simply to ask for donations for causes that make no apparent sense, like “Renewable Energy Research & Training Inc.”  

A gentleman who goes by “Keith,” whom I presume to be the owner of the site, has written me every few months for the past couple of years and asked: “Please ask people worldwide to go to my website, and give a donation to help us find new technology to solve the climate and energy crisis.”

I ignored this until just now, but I have to say that Keith has “staying power,” so this time I replied: “OK, but when my readers ask, as they inevitably will, ‘Why do you believe that these people are a better bet to make more progress than the scientific, business, academic, governmental, and NGO communities?’ what should I tell them?”

I don’t expect a compelling response, but if I get one, you’ll be the first (actually the second) to know. Until then, I’m not sure it’s a great use of your philanthropic dollar.