Congressman: Dr. Chu, Do you believe the Global Climate Change is a critical threat to our country and the human race?
Dr. Chu: Yes Congressman. We need to employ our resources to curtail global climate change. Global climate change is a result of mankind, industrialization and wasteful activities.
Congressman: Have we invested enough in the past to address the issue
Dr. Chu: No sir, but under the Presidents leadership we are moving in the right direction
Congressman: Do we need to invest more?
Dr. Chu: Yes
Congressman: You and other scientists have worked hard at building the models and conducting analysis, proving the threat of global warming and man's role
Dr. Chu: Yes sir. We have very detailed models that guide us to the conclusion that man is the cause of global warming.
Congressman: Specific to Solyndra, this was a big investment to address the threat of global warming?
Dr. Chu: Yes
Congressman: And it was the best example, though risky as you have said to others, of an investment we should make to save us from global warming?
Dr. Chu: Yes
Congressman: After a lot of careful analysis from experts, in the end Solyndra failed in the market place.
Dr. Chu: Well yes, but its more complex than that, there were other unexpected variables. Things we could not account for like the Chinese dropping price. And of course other innovations
Congressman: Yes, its good of you to point out those other unknowns.
Dr. Chu: Thank you
Congressman: So given that global climate change is so important and the market changed in unpredictable ways, didn't it seem like people might question your credibility in doubling down on Solyndra, if Solyndra failed. Its fine if its succeeded, but....
Dr. Chu: Well sir, hind sight is 20-20
Congressman: Oh, yes, I have heard that. Very good point. But I am wondering.... You are responsible for effectively spending $70B. Do you think your decision to double down, and then failing, might make the american people worry about your other decisions. I mean the other investments you might be making.
Dr. Chu: Put that way Congressman, I can see them worrying, but we have a very good team now and the mistakes will be minimized.
Congressman: Yes, of course. But, I have 10 grandchildren as you may know. And your studies say if we don't fix the greenhouse problem a lot of bad things may happen to them 60 years from now. So it is critical that we make sure we invest now to fix the problem before its to late. Shouldn't my Grandchildren expect more from us. Shouldn't they expect more from you? I mean we really don't have much room for failure here, but appear to have a ever increasing list of questionable investments? Its ironic that in your critical efforts to deal with greenhouse gases that we are now faced questioning the integrity of the Department of Energy, your processes, and your ability to protect us from this threat.
Dr. Chu: Well congressman......
Congressman: Just one more Question. Your team did deep and complete due diligence on the Solyndra investment. And in the end, all that analysis was wrong. If you are wrong on Solyndra, should the American people be worried that you are wrong about Climate Change? You can model the global climate but not investment risk?
