Al Gore reveals his future plans: He will be a "Planet saving" Venture Capitalist

[beachmom]

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/11/news/newsmakers/gore_kleiner.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007111208

Al Gore's next act: Planet-saving VC

The recovering politician is teaming with a legendary venture capitalist and bigtime moneyman to make over the $6 trillion global energy business. A Fortune exclusive.

It's lunchtime on Sand Hill Road, and Al Gore wants answers. "How does the efficiency decline with latitude?" he asks. "What size community could be served by one plant? If a manufacturer like GE wanted to make smaller turbines, would the technology support a smaller scale?"

We're sitting in the giant conference room at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, where the partners hold their weekly meetings. After loading his plate with Chinese food from a buffet, Gore is firing detailed questions at the management team of Ausra, a Kleiner-backed company in Palo Alto whose technology uses mirrors the width of a flatbed truck that focus the sun's energy to generate electricity.

Once Gore is satisfied -- sunlight lags north of South Dakota, an Ausra plant can serve 120,000 homes, and yes, smaller turbines will work fine -- he shifts from inquisitor to fixer. He was chatting with California Senator Barbara Boxer "on the way over," he reports, and he isn't optimistic that Congress will extend the tax credits Ausra has been relying on. On the upside, he offers on the spot to organize a summit highlighting the company's solar thermal technology to educate lawmakers and other policymakers on its potential. He also thinks a powwow at General Electric (Charts, Fortune 500) would be beneficial, even though Ausra is a tiny customer.

"I know Immelt well," he says, referring to GE's CEO. "We ought to set up a meeting."

Gore appears utterly comfortable with this drill, but in fact he's engaging in some on-the-job training. The recovering politician, environmental activist, and Nobel laureate is adding another title to his résumé: venture capitalist. After "a conversation that's gone on for a year and a half," according to Gore, he has decided to join his old pal John Doerr as an active, hands-on partner at Kleiner Perkins, Silicon Valley's preeminent venture firm.

More at the link.

[RedXIII]

1. Hold it wasn't he PMRC?

As i recall he went after Twisted Sister in the 80's and caused the tipper sticker to be attached to many music CD's that at the time i wasn't able to buy, but now can.

[RedXIII]

2. ,,,

bump

[Hieronymus]

3. All the best to Al Gore .. a great American.

[blindpig]

4. What utter nonsense.

Capitalism and the environment mix like oil and water.

Can you say greenwash? I knew you could.

[polichick]

7. Actually, one of the best ways to speed up the generation of green technology...

...in a capitalist society is to show how much money can be made in the enterprise ~ I think it's a great move!


<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3712369&mesg_id=3712369>

[bunnies]

5. This bums me out. I'm sorry.

But I worked at a multi-national VC corp. for years. They're bound to their shareholders to make money, not save the planet.

[RedXIII]

6. ,

but didn't his wife tipper went after Twisted Sister?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parents_Music_Resource_Center

[Uncle Joe]

8. So working to save life as we know it is off set because

Tipper lobbied for warning labels for parents on music twenty two years ago?

[bunnies]

9. Was that 22 years ago?????

Wow. I feel old.

[Uncle Joe]

10. I know the feeling, bunnies,

time flies when you're having fun.;-)

[bunnies]

11. Its incredible!

It seems like (practically) yesterday! :) I remember watching that whole hearing thing on tv. ahhh... The good 'ole days. :hi: