私立华联学院：《英文报刊阅读》课程教学资源（练习题，十套）Investment Fever in Clean-Energy经济投资_Investment Fever in Clean

Investment Fever in Clean-Energy The clean-energy business is turning into the next big investment boom,in which risks are lightly ignored.Until recently,recalls Charlie Gay,a 30-year veteran of the solar-power business,venture capitalists were too busy catering to captains of the information-technology industry to waste time on hippy-dippy tree-huggers"like himself.But now the tree-buggers are in the ascendant and the IT barons are busy investing in clean-energy technology Investors are failing over themselves to finance start-ups in clean technology,especially in energy.Venture Business Research reckons that investment in the field by venture capitalists and private-equity firms has quadrupled in the past two years,from some $500 m in 2004 to almost $2 billion so far this year.The share of venture capital going into clean energy is risingrapidly. Clean-energy fever is being fuelled by three things:high oil prices, fears over energy security and a growing concem about global warming. The provision of energy,the industry's cheerleaders say,will change radically over the coming decades.Polluting coal and gas-fired power stations will give way to cleaner alternatives such as solar and wind;fuels derived from plants and waste will replace petrol and diesel;and small, local forms of electricity generation will replace big power stations

Investment Fever in Clean-Energy The clean-energy business is turning into the next big investment boom, in which risks are lightly ignored. Until recently, recalls Charlie Gay, a 30-year veteran of the solar-power business, venture capitalists were too busy catering to captains of the information-technology industry to waste time on ‘hippy-dippy tree-huggers” like himself. But now the tree-buggers are in the ascendant and the IT barons are busy investing in clean-energy technology. Investors are failing over themselves to finance start-ups in clean technology, especially in energy. Venture Business Research reckons that investment in the field by venture capitalists and private-equity firms has quadrupled in the past two years, from some $500 m in 2004 to almost $2 billion so far this year. The share of venture capital going into clean energy is rising rapidly. Clean-energy fever is being fuelled by three things: high oil prices, fears over energy security and a growing concern about global warming. The provision of energy, the industry’s cheerleaders say, will change radically over the coming decades. Polluting coal and gas-fired power stations will give way to cleaner alternatives such as solar and wind; fuels derived from plants and waste will replace petrol and diesel; and small, local forms of electricity generation will replace big power stations

feeding far-flung grids.Eventually,it is hoped,fuel cells running on hydrogen will take the place of the internal combustion engine which is available everywhere.It is a bold vision,but if it happens very slowing, or only to a limited extent,boosters argue that it will still prompt tremendous growth for firms in the business. Analysts confidently predict the clean-energy business will grow by 20%-30%a year for a decade.Jefferies,an investment bank that organized a recent conference on the industry in London,asked participants how soon solar power would become competitive with old-fashioned generation technologies:in 2014,2015 or 2020.About three-quarters of those present,one visitor happily observed,were "cheque-writers".This "megatrend",the keynote speaker advocated, "may be the biggest job and wealth-creation opportunity of the 21st century.” Such exaggeration might remind people of dotcom bubble.But clean-energy advocates insist growth is sustainable because of the likes of Mr.Schwarzenegger.The Governor is a hero in green circles because of his enthusiasm for environment regulation.He easily won reelection partly because he seized on global warming as a concern and signed into law-America's first wide-ranging scheme to cap greenhouse-gas emissions

feeding far-flung grids. Eventually, it is hoped, fuel cells running on hydrogen will take the place of the internal combustion engine which is available everywhere. It is a bold vision, but if it happens very slowing, or only to a limited extent, boosters argue that it will still prompt tremendous growth for firms in the business. Analysts confidently predict the clean-energy business will grow by 20%-30% a year for a decade. Jefferies, an investment bank that organized a recent conference on the industry in London, asked participants how soon solar power would become competitive with old-fashioned generation technologies: in 2014, 2015 or 2020. About three-quarters of those present, one visitor happily observed, were “cheque-writers”. This “megatrend”, the keynote speaker advocated, “may be the biggest job and wealth-creation opportunity of the 21st century.” Such exaggeration might remind people of dotcom bubble. But clean-energy advocates insist growth is sustainable because of the likes of Mr. Schwarzenegger. The Governor is a hero in green circles because of his enthusiasm for environment regulation. He easily won reelection partly because he seized on global warming as a concern and signed into law—America’s first wide-ranging scheme to cap greenhouse-gas emissions

Reading comprehension 1.Accordingto the first two paragraphs,we can learn that A.clean-energy business is booming while the risks are totally overlooked B.venture capitalists have wasted much money on "hippy-dippy three-huggers'” C.clean-energy business is surging and changes the venture capital market D.the information-technology industry is correspondingly shrinking fast 2.Which of the following is true of Para.3? A.Clean-energy fever is fuelled mainly by human psychological weakness. B.The energy provision for the coming decades will undergo rapid changes C.Hydrogen as a new energy will replace traditional energy forms like coal and gas. D.Supporters of clean energy business are pretty optimistic about its future. 3.The word "cheque-writers"(line 7,Para.4)is closest in meaning to A.tycoons B.donators C.investors D.celebrities

Reading comprehension 1. According to the first two paragraphs, we can learn that . A. clean-energy business is booming while the risks are totally overlooked B. venture capitalists have wasted much money on “hippy-dippy three-huggers” C. clean-energy business is surging and changes the venture capital market D. the information-technology industry is correspondingly shrinking fast 2. Which of the following is true of Para.3 ? A. Clean-energy fever is fuelled mainly by human psychological weakness. B. The energy provision for the coming decades will undergo rapid changes. C. Hydrogen as a new energy will replace traditional energy forms like coal and gas. D. Supporters of clean energy business are pretty optimistic about its future. 3. The word “cheque-writers” (line 7, Para. 4) is closest in meaning to . A. tycoons B. donators C. investors D. celebrities

4.It can be inferred from the last paragraphthat A.clean energy industry and the dotcom industry have the same business model B.the dotcom industry might have undergone a rapid but unsustainable development C.Schwarzenegger has insisted that growth in clean-energy business is sustainable D.global warming has become a popular and decisive issue in political elections 5.What is the author's attitude towards clean-energy business? A.Optimistic B.Enthusiastic C.Objective D.Subjective

4. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that . A. clean energy industry and the dotcom industry have the same business model B. the dotcom industry might have undergone a rapid but unsustainable development C. Schwarzenegger has insisted that growth in clean-energy business is sustainable D. global warming has become a popular and decisive issue in political elections 5. What is the author’s attitude towards clean-energy business? A. Optimistic B. Enthusiastic C. Objective D. Subjective