Silicon Valley (and Text 100) Turns Green

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As most Californians are acutely aware, one of the most hotly contested propositions on the Californian ballot for November’s mid-term elections is proposition 87. Prop 87 is a bill backed by Silicon Valley super-VC John Doerr which aims to establish a $4 billion program to reduce oil and gasoline usage by 25%, and provide research and production incentives for alternative energy technologies.

Whether proposition 87 passes or not, the measure’s place in Silicon Valley history – and its impact on innovators here – already seems assured. Judging by the roster of VC and corporate-backed ventures on display at this week’s Solar Power Conference in San Jose, a groundswell of innovation has been created that will ensure this Valley’s contribution to the planet’s future extends far beyond the hundreds of Toyota hybrid vehicles zipping up and down the HOV lane of the 101 each day.

And Silicon Valley isn’t going green just for the good of the planet. Doerr & Co have long espoused investments in clean tech as a sound financial move – not just a ‘green’ move. It’s with similarly dual motives that Text 100 is organizing a global team to help new and existing clients engage more actively in clean technology discussions. Our new Clean Technology practice will be led, appropriately, from San Francisco but its members and experience already extend far beyond these shores. You can read more about the new practice here.

So, how about a motto for the new movement? ‘Green is Good’, anyone?

David McCulloch