Topicality Toolbox

MSDI Ermo/Kearney Lab
Topicality – V. 1.0 2008
Index
Substantially Definitions...............................................................................................................................................................................................1
“Substantially” increased incentives means more....................................................................................................................................................1
Increase Definitions.......................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Definition of increase...............................................................................................................................................................................................1
Wordnet.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Definition of increase...............................................................................................................................................................................................1
Extending something means increasing it................................................................................................................................................................1
Increase does not require pre-existence....................................................................................................................................................................1
Increase Definitions: What pre-exists now....................................................................................................................................................................1
U.S. Doesn’t have locations for solar panels............................................................................................................................................................1
U.S does not have nuclear power.............................................................................................................................................................................1
U.S does not have wind energy................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives exist for wind/biomass but NOT solar....................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy Definitions: Sources.......................................................................................................................................................................1
List of several...........................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy News Source..............................................................................................................................................................................1
Alt Energy means not oil or nuclear.........................................................................................................................................................................1
The University of Utah (an accredited state university, No date given, “Alternative Energy Sources”, online:
http://home.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html, acc: 06/30/08).......................................................................................................................................1
Alternative energy is non-fossil fuel.........................................................................................................................................................................1
DOE 2008.................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
alternative energy......................................................................................................................................................................................................1
fossil fuels.................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy excludes nuclear, coal, natural gas, and coal.............................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy excludes nuclear, coal, natural gas and nuclear power..............................................................................................................1
Alternative energy means not fossil fuel or fission (fusion is topical).....................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy Definitions: Conservation..............................................................................................................................................................1
Conservation is a form of alternative energy............................................................................................................................................................1
Conservation is an alternative energy.......................................................................................................................................................................1
Peak Oil News..........................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Conservation, while being a potential precursor, is distinctly different then an alternative energy.........................................................................1
Conservation is NOT alternative energy..................................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative Energy Definitions: Green..........................................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative energy means no environmental harm...................................................................................................................................................1
Webster's...................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Alt Energy Means not electricity..............................................................................................................................................................................1
Alternative energy means clean energy....................................................................................................................................................................1
Alt Energy is cleaner than oil...................................................................................................................................................................................1
New Alternatives Fund.............................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives Definitions....................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives include the fear of punishment................................................................................................................................................................1
American Heritage....................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentive means positive, not deterrence..................................................................................................................................................................1
WordNet....................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives are not Voluntary.....................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentive = must lead to action.................................................................................................................................................................................1
Purpose is increasing output.....................................................................................................................................................................................1
Must expect the outcome..........................................................................................................................................................................................1
Purpose is investment and output: must target producers........................................................................................................................................1
Oxford.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Includes carbon tax and tradeable permits...............................................................................................................................................................1
Dictionary of Energy, 2006.......................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives diff. from regulations – freedom of choice - Incentives mean having the freedom to chose while regulations result in penalties........1
Incentives Definitions....................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentive means tax credit........................................................................................................................................................................................1
Incentives means grants, R&D, and voluntary.........................................................................................................................................................1
Incentive means taxes/trading/subsidies but not regulations or voluntary...............................................................................................................1
Incentive excludes command and control regulations..............................................................................................................................................1
Incentive means something otherwise prescribed by legislation..............................................................................................................................1
In Definitions.................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
In...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Random House.........................................................................................................................................................................................................1
In...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
American Heritage....................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States.
1
Incentive vs. Motive Topicality.....................................................................................................................................................................................2
2
Substantially Definitions
Substantial is situational
Words and Phrases, Vol. 40, 1995, p. 458 (State v. Rose)
The term 'substantially' is relative and must be considered within the context of the particular fact situation; in
essence, it means less than totally or the whole, but more than imaginary.
No fixed substantial numbers

Words and Phrases, Vol. 40, 1964, p. 821, (Burnet v Bank ).
'Substantially all' within statute permitting consolidated income return by affiliated corporations does not mean a
fixed percentage, and must be construed according to particular facts.
“Substantially” increased incentives means a full shift from fossil fuels

Michael Hoexter, renewable energy and energy efficiency advocate, 05/28/08,
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/author?id=40, 6/30/08
Despite renewable energy's overall favorable image in the mind of the public, these current policy instruments
consider substantially increasing incentives is by a cut in usage. A tax credit, especially one that is applicable largely
to corporate entities, or another cut usage, is not substantially at all. Basically, it is not enough to be substantial. Is a
"backdoor" way to get government assistance; tax credits are government expenses without a specific budget line or
earmark. The average voter, even if he or she understands something about the issue, is going to have limited
sympathy for the recipients of institutional tax credits. What would be substantial is to completely obliterate the
consumption of oil and switch to renewables.
Substantial means without material qualification

http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/1999/980989-1.htm NO. COA98-989 NORTH CAROLINA
COURT OF APPEALS Filed: 5 October 1999 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. MICHAEL SCOTT
PARISI 1999
For the New York offense of driving while ability impaired to qualify as "substantially equivalent" to the North
Carolina offense of driving while under the influence of an impairing substance, the respective statutes need not be
identical in each and every respect. Substantially is defined as "[e]ssentially; without material qualification[.]"
Black's Law Dictionary 1428 (6th ed. 1990). Equivalent is defined as "[e]qual in value, force, measure[.]" Black's
Law Dictionary 541 (6th ed. 1990). Other jurisdictions have discussed what constitutes a "substantially equivalent"
offense. See State v. Oliver, 720 A.2d 1001, 1004 (N.J. Super. A.D. 1998) (criminal conduct underlying prior
conviction "qualitatively similar to defendant's conduct in the instant case and, therefore, [the prior conviction] was
'substantially equivalent[]'"); O'Neill v. State, 661 So.2d 1265, 1268 (Fla. App. 5 Dist. 1995) (in order to qualify as
substantially similar, the South Carolina statute need not "mirror" the Florida statute; "[t]he out-of-state
convictionneed only be 'substantially similar' . . . in elements and penalties[]").
3
Increase Definitions
Definition of increase
Wordnet http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:increase&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
Definitions of increase on the Web: addition: a quantity that is added
Definition of increase
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increase 2008
1: to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
2: to multiply by the production of young
Extending something means increasing it

2007 Words & Phrases Cumulative. Supplementary Pamphlet (Vol. 20A, 2007, p. 76).
A durational modification of child support is as much an 'increase' as a monetary modification.
Increase does not require pre-existence

Corpus Juris Secundum, 1944, p. 546
Increase: It is derived from 'cresco,' to grow and implies the existence of something made, or to be made, the subject
of the increase.
4
Increase Definitions: What pre-exists now

U.S. Doesn’t have locations for solar panels
ecotality.com 2007 “Why The U.S. Does Not Have More Wind Farms” http://ecotality.com/life/2007/09/05/blown-
away/
Our cooling systems are built by Freus, Inc and are energy star compliant. Because AISO is located in a desert area
to maximize our solar panels' electricity production, we have very hot days. We also chose this location due to the
great amounts of solar energy radiation the area can receive, which most of the US does not. To counter-act this heat
and conserve energy while maintaining cooling, we have chosen a water cooled A/C system. We have 2 different
cooling systems, which are redundant and are serviced monthly. The cooling systems monitor outside air
temperature and when it gets 50°F or below, they suck the outside air in, filter it and direct it into the data center thus
saving electricity when its cool outside
U.S does not have nuclear power

Jack Spencer June 2008 “Nuclear Power Needed to Minimize Lieberman-Warner's Economic Impact”
http://www.heritage.org/research/energyandenvironment/wm1944.cfm
The United States does not need the government to dictate how it produces energy. The federal government is
making the same mistakes that it has made in the past. It is responding to volatility in the energy industry by
consolidating power over its operations through mandates, tax policy, and other control mechanisms. Federal
intervention has caused much of the volatility that consumers currently face. The vehicle and appliance efficiency
standards, renewable portfolio standards, and increased ethanol mandate put in place by the Energy Independence
and Security Act last December are recent examples. Instead of telling consumers and producers how to generate
energy and what sorts of energy to consume, the federal government should step aside and allow energy producers
to get to the business of meeting America's energy demands. Limit government support to that provided by EPACT 2005.
EPACT 2005 provides loan guarantees, production tax credits, and risk insurance to the first few nuclear reactors
built. Given that the greatest risk to the nuclear industry is government itself, the burden of proof remains with the
federal government to demonstrate that it will allow the nuclear industry to mature. Its support through EPACT 2005
should be adequate to achieve this goal so long as it is combined with commitments by Congress and future
Administrations to assure political and regulatory stability for the nuclear industry.
U.S does not have wind energy

www.eia.doe.gov May 2007 “Wind Energy -- Energy from Moving Air”
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html
In 2005, wind machines in the United States generated a total of 17.8 billion kWh per year of electricity, enough to
serve more than 1.6 million households. This is enough electricity to power a city the size of Chicago, but it is only a
small fraction of the nation's total electricity production, about 0.4 percent. The amount of electricity generated from
wind has been growing fast in recent years, tripling since 1998. New technologies have decreased the cost of
producing electricity from wind, and growth in wind power has been encouraged by tax breaks for renewable energy
and green pricing programs. Many utilities around the country offer green pricing options that allow customers the
choice to pay more for electricity that comes from renewable sources. Wind machines generate electricity in 25
different states in 2005. The states with the most wind production are California, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, and
Oklahoma. The United States ranks third in the world in wind power capacity, behind Germany and Spain and
before India. Denmark ranks number five in the world in wind power capacity but generates 20 percent of its
electricity from wind. Most of the wind power plants in the world are located in Europe and in the United States
where government programs have helped support wind power development.
Incentives exist for wind/biomass but NOT solar

Larry Kreiser, professor of accounting at Cleveland State University, 2006, Critical Issues in Environmental
Taxation, Vol III, p. 465
An example of a production tax incentive would be a two cents per kilowatt hour tax credit for each. kilowatt hour
of electricity produced from solar power property. At the present time, production tax incentives are available in the
United States Internal Revenue Code for wind power and biomass power hut are not available for solar power.
5
Alternative Energy Definitions: Sources

List of several
Alternative Energy News Source, June 2008 http://www.altenews.com/
Renewable energy sources including solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, biomass, wave
and tidal power and hydroelectric are going to replace traditional oil, natural gas, and coal, and it is going to be
possible for entrepreneurs to take advantage of these opportunities.
Alt Energy means not oil or nuclear

The University of Utah (an accredited state university, No date given, “Alternative Energy Sources”, online:
http://home.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html, acc: 06/30/08)
Energy is the ability to do work. While energy surrounds us in all aspects of life, the ability to harness it and use it
for constructive ends as enconomically as possible is the challenge before mankind. Alternative energy refers to
energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. The renewed interest in
this field of study comes from the undesirable effects of pollution (as witnessed today) both from burning fossil
fuels and from nuclear waste byproducts. Fortunately there are many means of harnessing energy which have less
damaging impacts on our environment. Here are some possible alternatives: Solar, Wind Power, Geothermal, Tides,
and Hydroelectric
Alternative energy is non-fossil fuel.

DOE 2008, Natural Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/f.asp
alternative energy - energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or
wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).
fossil fuels - a fuel, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, produced by the decomposition of ancient (fossilized) plants
and animals; compare to alternative energy.
Alternative Energy excludes nuclear, coal, natural gas, and coal

Christopher Simon, professor of political science, University of Nevada, Reno, 2007, Alternative Energy:
Political, Economic and Social Feasibility, p39-40
The federal definition of alternative energy is best summarized by Title 26, chapter 79, §7701 of the revised U.S.
Code: "the term 'alternative energy facility' means a facility for producing electrical or thermal energy if the primary
energy source for the facility is not oil, natural gas, coal or nuclear power." The primary purpose of this definition
relates to the issuance of tax credits to "alternative energy facilities," which meet certain standards as defined in Title
26, chapter 1, §48 "Energy Credit." Tax credits are one method by which the federal government encourages the
private sector' to make certain economic choices; in the case of energy policy, this definition of alternative energy
will have a definitive impact on how alternative energy will be defined by those individuals and corporate bodies
seeking federal recognition (and benefit) by adopting a particular definition of alternative energy.
Alternative Energy excludes nuclear, coal, natural gas and nuclear power
Definition of Alternative Under the US Code Title 26, #7701 (6/30/08) Energy
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode26/usc_sec_26_00007701----000-.html
United States Code
(D) Alternative energy facility For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term "alternative energy facility" means a
facility for producing electrical or thermal energy if the primary energy source for the facility is not oil, natural gas,
coal, or nuclear power.
Alternative energy means not fossil fuel or fission (fusion is topical)

Neil Schlager, 2006, Alternative Energy, p380
Most sources of 'alternative' energy – which usually means energy from any source other than fossil fuels and
nuclear fission – depend on obvious, natural sources of energy. The sun.bathes Earth with light, which can either be
turned into electricity or used directly for light or heat. The wind and rivers are loaded with kinetic energy (the
energy of matter in motion). Tides raise and lower the sea, and hold a potentially useable source of energy.
6
Alternative Energy Definitions: Conservation

Conservation is a form of alternative energy
Darrin Gunkel, 2006, Alternative Energy, p.18
In exploring the question of whether or not alternative energy sources should replace conventional energy, many
experts are now stressing that such a transition would not be required if Americans learned to conserve the energy
they have. Or, to look at it another way, if Americans could capture the energy lost in production and consumption -
which some refer to as alternative energy – they would not need new energy sources. Indeed, many energy experts
consider energy efficiency a kind of vast alternative energy supply, waiting to be tapped.
Conservation is an alternative energy

Peak Oil News, January 12, 2006, ‘Chevron Finds Huge Source of Alternative Energy – Conservation’ June
30th, 2008 http://peakoil.blogspot.com/2006/01/chevron-finds-huge-source-of.html
Because of surging economies in the developing world and continued growth among the industrialized nations,
global energy use is soaring. As a result, supplies are tight. Prices are rising. And energy users are calling for viable
alternatives. The good news is we’ve got a huge source of alternative energy all around us. It’s called conservation,
and it’s the lowest cost new source of energy we have at hand. Since 1973 alone, improvements in energy efficiency
have resulted in a 50% reduction of our daily energy use, which is the same as discovering 25 extra million barrels
of oil equivalent every single day. Clearly, saving energy is like finding it. But we all need to do more.
Conservation, while being a potential precursor, is distinctly different then an alternative

energy
David Houle, author, May 18, 2008, ‘Cost Saving Equals Conservation Equals Being Green’ June 30th,
2008http://www.scientificblogging.com/a_future_look_at_today/cost_savings_equals_conservation_equals_being_g
reen
Energy scientists suggest that conservation is the single most important thing to do until we can replace fossil fuels
with renewable, alternative forms of energy. It is projected that energy consumption, and therefore costs, can be cut
by 20% through aggressive efforts at conservation. There is no reason to wait.
Conservation is NOT alternative energy

Hermann Scheer, a member of the Gentian Bundestag, 2007, Energy Autonomy: The Economic, Social and
Technological Case for Renewable Energy, p197
The oft-cited statement, 'the greatest energy source -is energy conservation,' is wrong on two counts: first, energy
conservation is not an energy source but instead simply reduces the demand for energy; and second, with
nonrenewable energy the potential for energy conservation is always smaller than the amount of nonrenewable
energy's total consumption.
Alternative energy is not a precise term of exclusion; it is value based

Political, Economic and Social Feasibility, p39
In this chapter, the book focuses on the scope of alternative energy, a concept that is often discussed but rarely
defined. It is difficult to define because the term is value laden. The term "alternative enemy” was the subject of a
recent gathering of scientists in Canada, but by the end of the conference, the definition remained a work in
progress: no definitive meaning was assigned.
7
Alternative Energy Definitions: Green

Alternative energy means no environmental harm
Webster's New Millennium Dictionary, 2008
alternative energy; energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment; also
called [renewable energy]
Alt Energy Means not electricity

The DME (Department of Minerals and Energy, South Africa’s committee for energy efficiency, June 2001,
online: http://www.dme.gov.za/pdfs/energy/electricity/Free%20basic%20alternative%20energy.pdf, acc: 06/30/08)
"Free Basic Alternative Energy" means any other form of basic energy excluding electricity (including solar home
system) deemed necessary to support basic energy needs of an indigent household as determined from time to time
and funded by the government;
Alternative energy means clean energy

Darrin Gunkel, 2006, Alternative Energy, p.72
The unfortunate fact is that fossil-fuel use creates greenhouse gases that many scientists believe cause global
warming. To address the problem, many experts argue that nations should transition to clean, renewable energy.
Indeed, many consider alternative energy synonymous with clean energy.
Alt Energy is cleaner than oil

New Alternatives Fund (and organization researching alternative fuels, 2004, “Alternative Energy, Our
Definition”, online: http://www.newalternativesfund.com/invest/invest_alternative.html, acc: 06/30/08)
Alternative Energy does not include: Coal, Oil, Atomic energy,
Coal and oil are fossil fuels that cause environmental damage when mined and release pollution when combusted.
Alternative energy is cleaner. There may be future technologies for the transformation of coal to a clean source of
energy.
Several tiers of alternative energy are possible

Political, Economic and Social Feasibility, p40-41
Perhaps the most well-known recent example of very broadly defined and apparently “relaxed” standards for the
concept, “alterative energy" comes from the state of Pennsylvania, which has effectively moved away from more
narrowly defined federal definitions. Adopted into law in November 2004. Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1030 identities
energy sources and relates these sources to relative greenness." which is by implication measured by the level of
environmental emissions or potential environmental harm. The alternative energy greenness divides types into Tier I
and Tier II alternative energy sources. Tier I alternative energy sources are: (1) solar PV energy, (2) wind power; (3)
low impact hydropower, (4) geothermal energy,(5) biologically derived methane gas, (6) fuel cells, (7) biomass
energy: and (8) coal mine methane. In scrutinizing these Tier I sources and the related definitions in the footnotes,
the reader might dispute their categorization as relatively low impact forms of energy. Coal mine methane and
biomass derived energy, for instance, produce greenhcvse gases. Pennsylvania's Tier II alternative energy resources
provide an even broader view when it comes to common associations with "green" energy. The second-tier sources
are as follows: (1) waste coal; distributed generation systems; (3) demand-side management; (4) large-scale
hydropower; (5) municipal solid waste, (6) generation of electricity utilizing byproducts of the pulping process and
wood-manufacturing process, including bark, wood chips, sawdust,and lignin in spent pulping liquors, and (7)
integrated combined coal gasification technology. The Pennsylvania statute illustrates the capacity of government to
narrowly or broadly define alternative energy.
8
Alternative Energy Definitions: Fuel

Alternative fuel is distinct from alternative energy
The concept is necessary to better understand the energy future in relation to technological, economic, and policy
feasibility of energy sources. Understanding the difference between alternative energy and alternative fuels is an
important distinction that must be made at this point.
Fuel is not actual but potential energy – energy should be defined synonymous with power
Energy vs Power. These terms are often used interchangeably and are thought to be the same concept. Energy is
defined as "the capacity to do work. Forms of energy include thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical. Energy
may be transferred from one form to another" (EERE 2005a). Energy can be measured in a variety of ways, such as
joules and British Thermal Units (BTUs). Power is "the rate of expenditure of energy" (Physics Forum 2005) or the
rate at which energy is used. Power is simply expenditure of energy per unit of time (e.g. BTU/hr or BTU/sec). In
everyday life, one comes across measurements of power in the form of watts or horsepower. Fuel is potential energy
that can be burned to produce power.
Alternative energy should be defined by process, not type, and excludes alternative fuel
In this chapter, the book focuses on the scope of alternative energy, a concept that is often discussed but rarely
defined. It is difficult to define because the term is value laden. The term "alternative enemy” was the subject of a
recent gathering of scientists in Canada, but by the end of the conference, the definition remained a work in
progress: no definitive meaning was assigned. By defining the term it is notmy purpose to intentionally exclude or
include any particular form of energy. An understanding of the concept is necessary to better understand the energy
future in relation to technological. economic and policy feasibility of energy sources. Understanding the difference
between alternative energy and alternative fuels is an important distinction that must be made at this point.
Alternative fuel means ethanol and several fossil fuel derivatives

Federal law is fairly definitive when it comes to alternative fuels. Alternative fuel issues are often tied directly to
their primary use, transportation, Federal fuels policies bring together issues related to stored energy sources and
management, transportation infrastructure, and environmental quality regulations as well as federal monies to state
and local governments. The federal definition of alternative fuel is found in Title 42, chapter 77, 6374 of the U.S.
Code: "The term 'alternative fuel' means methanol, denatural ethanol, and other alcohols; mixtures containing 85
percent or more (or such other percentage, but not less than 70 percent, as determined by the Secretary, by rule, to
provide for requirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle functions) by volume of methanol , denatured
ethanol, and other alcohols with gasoline or other fuels; natural gas; liquified petroleum gas; hydrogen; coal-derived
liquid fuels; fuels (other than alcohol) derived from biological materials; electricity (including electricity from solar
energy); and any other fuel the Secretary determines, by rule, is substantially not petroleum and would yield
substantial energy security benefits and substantial environmental benefits.
9
Incentives Definitions
Incentives include the fear of punishment.
American Heritage Dictionary 2006
n. Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or motivates effort.
Incentive means positive, not deterrence

WordNet, Princeton University, 2006
noun 1. a positive motivational influence [ant: deterrence]
Incentives are not Voluntary

http://www.answers.com/topic/incentive?cat=biz-fin Answers.com May 16, 2000 accessed June 30, 2008
Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or motivates effort.
Incentive = must lead to action

http://www.yourdictionary.com/incentive Yourdictionary.com 2005 accessed June 30, 2008
something that stimulates one to take action, work harder, etc.; stimulus; encouragement
Purpose is increasing output

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/incentive Collins Dictionary 2006 accessed June 30, 2008
an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees as a means of increasing output
Must expect the outcome

http://www.12manage.com/description_incentives.html 12manage.com 2006 Accessed June 30, 2008
Where failure to behave in a certain way or to achieve results can be expected to result in force being used
Purpose is investment and output: must target producers

Oxford College Dictionary 2007, p685
Incentive: a payment or concession to stimulate greater output or investment.
Includes carbon tax and tradeable permits

Dictionary of Energy, 2006, p.224
Incentive: A regulation that uses the economic behavior of firms and households to attain desired environmental
goals. Incentive-based programs involve taxes on emissions or tradable emission permits.
Incentives diff. from regulations – freedom of choice - Incentives mean having the freedom
to chose while regulations result in penalties
Tony Isaacs, natural health researcher and advocate, “Incentives are a bit different than
regulations”2/6/2008,(http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:WeVHXQqxWq4J:www.curezone.com/forums/fm.as
p%3Fi%3D1104166+Incentives+are+different+than+regulations&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us date accessed
6/30/08)
Granted, providing incentives (or disincentives) smacks of social engineering, but I think the benefits to society as a
whole, as well as the individual, are worth pointing everyone in a healthy direction. With incentives, you still have a
freedom of choice to do as you please - a big difference from mandatory restrictions - but there would be
consequences of making decisions that not only is a burden to yourself but may also be a burden to others.
10
Incentives Definitions
Incentive means tax credit
There are three tax incentives inn the IRC [Internal. Revenue Code] for solar power development. These three tax
incentives a:re: (1) Taxpayers are allowed a 10 percent energy credit for investments in solar power property which
are placed in service during the year. (Sec. 48) The energy credit is equivalent to a 10 percent reduction in the
purchase price of solar power property. (2) Taxpayers need only reduce the basis of the solar power property by 50
percent of the energy credit thereby allowing a larger basis for depreciation purposes. (3) Taxpayers are allowed to
depreciate solar power property over five years for tax purposes even though the property's economic life could be
20 years or more.
Incentives means grants, R&D, and voluntary

Besides tax incentives, governmental authorities can also use non-tax incentives to foster solar power development.
Some non-tax incentives include: Direct Investment Incentives (Grants) governmental authorities provide grants
where cost sharing with investors facilitates the early development of . solar power. Research and Development
Programs – governmental authorities support R&D programs involving solar power which engage in basic research,
applied research and cooperative research and testing. Green Marketing/Pricing – governmental authorities support
voluntary programs where customers pay a premium price to purchase solar power.
Incentive means taxes/trading/subsidies but not regulations or voluntary

Rinaldo Brau, professor of economics, University of Cagliari, 2006, Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation,
Vol III, p593
Environmental policy instruments are usually 'classified into three broad categories. The first category, which .
includes environmental taxes, subsidies and emission trading schemes, is that of economic instruments that provide
economic agents with financial incentives to reduce environmental damage. The second category is that of
regulatory instruments, which embraces traditional command-and-control policies such as emission standards,
whereby public authorities directly establish the environmental performance to be achieved, or the technologies to
be used. The third category, which constitutes the subject of this paper, is that of voluntary approaches (henceforth
VA.․), whereby firms make commitments to improve their environmental performance beyond what is required by
the law.
Incentive excludes command and control regulations

Winston Harrington, professor at the Public Policy Institute, Georgetown University, The RFF Reader in
Environmental and Resource Policy, 2nd Ed, 2006, p66
Environmental policies can rely more on direct regulation (the command-andcontrol or CAC approach) or,
alternatively, on economic incentives for environmental protection.
Incentive means something otherwise prescribed by legislation

Chris Park, 2007, A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation, p224
Incentive-based regulation: A government regulation (such as a tradable emissions allowance) that is designed to
induce changes in the behaviour of individuals or firms, in order to produce environmental, social or economic
benefits that would otherwise be prescribed by legislation.
11
In Definitions
In
Unabridged Random House Dictionary 2006
–preposition 1. (used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits): walking in the park.
In
Dictionary: American Heritage Dictionary 2006
prep. Within the limits, bounds, or area of: was hit in the face; born in the spring; a chair in the garden.
12
Incentive vs. Motive Topicality

A. Interpretation. An incentive is –“noun 1. something that incites or tends to incite to action
or greater effort, as a reward offered for increased productivity.” According to Random
House Unabridged Dictionary in 2006. Therefore, the plan itself must directly change the
affective state of alternate energy.
B. Violation. The plan does not incite greater productivity of alternate energy it only deters
productivity of fossil fuels. The plan itself does not alter the state of alternative energy –the
plan is, at best, a motive.
Dwight Lee, Ramsey Professor at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, and an adjunct fellow at the
Center for the Study of American Business at Washington University in St. Louis, “The Power of Incentives” 1998
Incentive motivation theories state that approach behavior will be activated by appropriate incentives (Agmo, 1999;
Bindra, 1974; Singer & Toates, 1987). Bindra (1974) introduced the concept of a central motive state, "a
hypothetical set of neural processes that promote goal directed actions in relation to particular classes of incentive
stimuli, for example, it promotes food seeking and eating in relation to food, or defensive fighting and escape in
relation to a predator" (p. 201). An incentive, it is supposed, guides u uhuygttgtresponse selection through the
excitatory or priming influence of the central motive state on somato-visceral reactions, consummatory acts, and
locomotor and skilled actions. Frijda (1986), in line with Bindra, defines motivation as the elicitation of behavior
systems by appropriate external stimuli or thoughts thereof. A behavior system is described as a potential action (a
program) or a sequence of potential actions. With respect to sexual responses, this means that sexual motivation and
the accompanying feeling of sexual desire arise when an individual interacts with appropriate sexual stimuli or
thoughts thereof. Thus, in contrast to the layman's belief that sexual desire is spontaneous and arises "out of the
blue," sexual desire is the outcome of the processing of sexual stimuli, although it may be felt and perceived as
spontaneous (Basson, 2002; Everaerd et al., 2001). Interaction with an incentive changes the affective state of an
organism. Bindra (1974) already pointed to the similarity of motivational and emotional states. Action tendencies
manifest themselves in various emotional response systems, including physiological change, emotional expression,
and motivated behavior (Frijda, 1986; Lang, 1993). In addition, incentive motivation models state that motivation is
the result of the interaction of the internal state of the organism and relevant stimuli in the environment. The internal
state of the organism, like hormonal or other somatic factors and past experience, modulates the responsiveness to
external cues. It may be expected that exposure to sexual stimuli can enhance responsiveness to subsequent sexual
cues by modulating the internal state. Confrontation with a positive incentive results in activation of reward circuitry
in the brain (Aharon et al., 2001; Kampe, Frith, Dolan, & Frith, 2001; Schultz, 1998, 2001). Activation of reward
circuitry may result in an increase of attention for incentive stimuli and in an increase of subjective and
physiological responses to these stimuli, which may result in a self-amplifying motivational process.
C. Standards.
<Write your own>
D. Voters.
<Write your own>
13

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MSDI Ermo/Kearney Lab

Topicality – V. 1.0 2008

Incentive vs. Motive Topicality.....................................................................................................................................................................................2

No fixed substantial numbers

“Substantially” increased incentives means a full shift from fossil fuels

Substantial means without material qualification

Extending something means increasing it

Increase does not require pre-existence

Increase Definitions: What pre-exists now

U.S does not have nuclear power

U.S does not have wind energy

Incentives exist for wind/biomass but NOT solar

Alternative Energy Definitions: Sources

Alt Energy means not oil or nuclear

Alternative energy is non-fossil fuel.

Alternative Energy excludes nuclear, coal, natural gas, and coal

Alternative energy means not fossil fuel or fission (fusion is topical)

Alternative Energy Definitions: Conservation

Conservation is an alternative energy

Conservation, while being a potential precursor, is distinctly different then an alternative

Conservation is NOT alternative energy

Alternative energy is not a precise term of exclusion; it is value based

Alternative Energy Definitions: Green

Alt Energy Means not electricity

Alternative energy means clean energy

Alt Energy is cleaner than oil

Several tiers of alternative energy are possible

Alternative Energy Definitions: Fuel

Alternative fuel means ethanol and several fossil fuel derivatives

Incentive means positive, not deterrence

Incentives are not Voluntary

Incentive = must lead to action

Purpose is increasing output

Must expect the outcome

Purpose is investment and output: must target producers

Includes carbon tax and tradeable permits

Incentives means grants, R&D, and voluntary

Incentive means taxes/trading/subsidies but not regulations or voluntary

Incentive excludes command and control regulations

Incentive means something otherwise prescribed by legislation

Incentive vs. Motive Topicality

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