Nine Green Technology Stocks for Investors Who Hate Al Gore

Green technology is advancing rapidly. Green technology investments can be hugely profitable. Yet some investors are put off by what they see as a high degree of sanctimony surrounding the sector.

This website has already presented lists of stocks that could benefit from the election of Barack Obama to the US presidency. Here then, in the interest of balance, are nine green technology stocks for investors who hate Al Gore.

Archer Daniels Midland is America's largest producer of ethanol. According to Wikipedia it is guilty of a list of sins that include "several major federal lawsuits related to air pollution". It also achieved "the lowest score (15 out of 100) of all rated Food and Beverage companies in the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Corporate Equality Index, a measure of Gay and Lesbian workplace equality".

FPL Group, which operates Florida Power & Light and FPL Energy, is America's largest generator of both wind and solar energy. Senior executives are prominent Republican Party donors.

General Electric is one of the world's largest military contractors. It has also become America's - and one of the world's - foremost suppliers of wind power infrastructure. Revenues in 2007 for this business of more than $4 billion were an eight-fold increase over 2002.

Kyocera, the world's third-largest producer of solar cells, is also a major supplier of key military components (with a 125-page Military Products catalog).

Pacific Ethanol says its mission is to be "the leading marketer and producer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western United States". Founder and Chairman of the Board Bill Jones has served as Republican Leader in the California Assembly.

Rentech is a world leader in clean coal technology. The President and CEO, Donald Ramsbottom, was a "Romney for President" donor.

Suntech Power of China is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing producers of solar cells. Its founder was for a time China's wealthiest citizen. The Washington Post has exposed one of its key suppliers as a major polluter.

The Andersons is a leading ethanol producer. The company's Statement of Principles affirms: "We firmly believe that our Company is a powerful vehicle through which we channel our time, talent, and energy in pursuit of the fundamental goal of serving God by serving others." Chairman of the Board Richard P. Anderson has donated to a Republican Party candidate for Congress.

Valence Technology makes energy storage devices for hybrid vehicles (including Segway Scooters). Its Chairman is California real estate billionaire Carl Berg. A San Jose Inside columnist describes Berg as "like an avenging developmental angel, spewing bile and insults in his wake. ...Berg probably never voted for a Democrat in his life and probably feels that the party is akin to Lenin’s cohorts in their assault on Western capitalism; yet, they are able to be purchased like Hessians of old."

Not convinced? Then take heart from an article in The Nation, Guns Beat Green: "If you are looking for a sure bet in a new growth market, sell solar, buy surveillance; forget wind, buy weapons. ...Despite all the government incentives, the really big money is turning away from clean energy technologies and banking instead on gadgets promising to seal wealthy countries and individuals into high-tech fortresses."

July 2nd, 2008

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