WNDI 2008 1

Topicality

Topicality
Topicality.....................................................................................................................................................................1
Topicality.........................................................................................................................................1
A2: ASPEC.................................................................................................................................................................3
A2: ASPEC.....................................................................................................................................3
T – USFG (Not performance).....................................................................................................................................4
T – USFG (Not performance).......................................................................................................4
T – Substantially (Not Minor).....................................................................................................................................5
T – Substantially (Not Minor).......................................................................................................5
T – Alternative Energy (Renewable)...........................................................................................................................6
T – Alternative Energy (Renewable)............................................................................................6
T – Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear).........................................................................................................................7
T – Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear)..........................................................................................7
T – Alternative Energy (Not Conservation)................................................................................................................8
T – Alternative Energy (Not Conservation).................................................................................8
T – Incentive (Positive)...............................................................................................................................................9
T – Incentive (Positive)..................................................................................................................9
Alternative Energy Incentive (Not Regulation)........................................................................................................10
Alternative Energy Incentive (Not Regulation)........................................................................10
Alternative Energy Incentives (Funding for Development)......................................................................................11
Alternative Energy Incentives (Funding for Development).....................................................11
Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels)......................................................................................................................12
Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels)........................................................................................12
Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels, Gas, Coal, Nuclear Power)...........................................................................13
Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels, Gas, Coal, Nuclear Power)..........................................13
Alternative Energy (Natural Gas).............................................................................................................................14
Alternative Energy (Natural Gas)..............................................................................................14
Alternative Energy (Not Natural Gas)......................................................................................................................15
Alternative Energy (Not Natural Gas).......................................................................................15
Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear Power)..................................................................................................................16
Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear Power)..................................................................................16
Alternative Energy (Renewables).............................................................................................................................17
Alternative Energy (Renewables)...............................................................................................17
Alternative Energy (Fluid Meaning).........................................................................................................................18
Alternative Energy (Fluid Meaning)..........................................................................................18
WNDI 2008 2
Topicality

Incentive (Motivator)................................................................................................................................................19
Incentive (Motivator)...................................................................................................................19
Incentive (Not Regulation)........................................................................................................................................20
Incentive (Not Regulation)..........................................................................................................20
Incentive (Positive)...................................................................................................................................................21
Incentive (Positive).......................................................................................................................21
Incentive (Negative or Positive)...............................................................................................................................22
Incentive (Negative or Positive)..................................................................................................22
WNDI 2008 3
Topicality

A2: ASPEC
We meet – the USFG is our actor. They lose zero ground.

Counter-definition - ‘the’ means all parts

Merriam-Webster's Online, no date, http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary accessed March 23, 2002
4 -- used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a
whole <the elite>

The US is three branches

Princeton University WordNet 1997, http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=united%20states, accessed
May 25, 2001
united states: 2: the executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the US

Counter-interpretation: A discussion of normal means should determine implementation.

That leads to educational research and debate, is just as predictable. [It also gives them their
counterplan ground: a standard of functional competition should determine exclusivity]

Counter-interpretation – A discussion of normal means is best

A. Specification is extra-topical – unrelated advantages hose neg ground
B. Provides better real world education
C. Ensures neg ground – lit is the only way to determine what will happen, otherwise
there are an infinite number of ways we can fiat implementation

3. No ground loss. We don’t weasel out of links. Don’t vote on potential abuse.

4. No brightline and infinitely regressive – specification forces 9 minute plan texts

5. CX checks – aff’s have the right to clarify, it’s their burden to get clarifications

6. Process counterplans aren’t negative ground. They beg the question of the resolution,
focus debate on minutia instead of substance, decrease education, force vague plan writing
and steal aff ground

8. No resolutional basis. Competitive skew is inevitable. Specificity is extra-topical.

WNDI 2008 4
Topicality

T – USFG (Not performance)

A – Definition – The US is three branches
Princeton University WordNet 1997, http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=united%20states, accessed
May 25, 2001
united states: 2: the executive and legislative and judicial branches of the federal government of the US

B – Violation – The affirmative does not defend Federal Government action – only personal
discourse

C – Standards –
1 – Limits and predictability– there are an infinite number of personal advocacies
that we could never prepare for.
2 – Ground – we can’t read attacks on individual advocacies because no one writes
about college debaters and what they think we should do. Additionally, they can shift
out of all of our core negative strategies, which all assume governmental action.
3 – Education – Plan-focused education is key to good decision making – personal
discourse encourages negative teams to run theory, hindering education.

D – Topicality is a voter for reasons of fairness, ground, education, and jurisdiction

WNDI 2008 5
Topicality

T – Substantially (Not Minor)

A - Interpretation - Substantially means Ato a great extent or degree@
Princeton University, (WordNet) 1997
To a great extent or degree; AI=m afraid the film was well over budget@; Apainting the room white made it seem
considerably (or substantially) larger@; Athe house has fallen considerably in value@; Athe price went up
substantially@ [syn: well, considerably] 2: in a strong substantial way; Athe house was substantially built@

B - Violation - the affirmative only decreases total consumption a minor amount. It is the
aff’s duty to show their overall significance to energy policy as a whole.

C - Standards

1 - Limits - there are infinite numbers of small decreases in consumption and only a
limited number of great ones. The negative interpretation is most predictable. The
aff justifies cases that only deal with a small subset of consumption like the
manufacture of cosmetics

2 - Ground - Our definition prevents the aff from spiking out of our politics or
spending links, claiming that the plan won’t be perceived or cost much.

3 - Stock Issues - our definition forces the affirmative to meet the burdens of stock
issues.

4 – Framer’s Intent - Remember, the word “substantially” is in the resolution for a

reason. It shouldn=t be cast aside like a random adverb.

D - Voters -
Fairness
Education
Ground
Jurisdiction
Resolutional Question
WNDI 2008 6
Topicality

T – Alternative Energy (Renewable)

A – Definition – Alternative Energy means renewables
MSN Encarta Online Dictionary, 2008
naturally generated energy source: any form of energy obtained from the Sun, wind, waves, or another
natural renewable source, in contrast to energy generated from fossil fuels

B – Violation – Plan incentivizes an energy source that relies on finite and non-renewable
natural resources

C – Standards
Limits – Our definition excludes cases like oil drilling and Nuclear Power, but still allows
good aff cases like RPS or Solar Power. Limits are key to in depth education and clash

Ground – we can’t read evidence about renewables, which destroys predictable pre-round
preparation

D – Voters – Topicality is a voter for fairness and ground and because the aff must
unconditionally prove the resolution is true
WNDI 2008 7
Topicality

T – Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear)

A – Definition – Nuclear energy is not alternative energy
Christopher Simon, (Prof., Political Science, U. Nevada, Reno), ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: POLITICAL,
ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL FEASIBILITY, 07, 39-40.
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."

B – Violation – the plan provides an incentive for nuclear power, which is not alternative
energy because it relies on the mining of uranium, which is a finite resource

C – Standards
Limits – Our definition excludes cases like Natural Gas and Nuclear Power, but still allows
good aff cases like RPS or Solar Power. Limits are key to in depth education and clash

Ground – we can’t read evidence about renewables, which destroys predictable pre-round
preparation

D – Voters – Topicality is a voter for fairness and ground and because the aff must
unconditionally prove the resolution is true
WNDI 2008 8
Topicality

T – Alternative Energy (Not Conservation)

A – Definition – Alternative Energy excludes conservation
Hermann Scheer, (Member of the German Bundestag), ENERGY AUTONOMY: THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL
AND TECHNOLOGICAL CASE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, 2007, 197.
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
non-renewable energy's total consumption, since there is no such thing as a perpetual motion machine.

B – Violation – Plan doesn’t increase alternative energy. It only decreases and conserves
traditional energy

C – Standards
Limits – Their definition allows any affs concerned with energy efficiency like CAFÉ.
We allow affs that encourage the development of new technology like OTEC and
Solar Panels

Education – The core topic question is about conservation vs. innovation – this is the
only way to access topic-specific education concerning ecological sustainability

Ground – the conservation counterplan should be a core negative cp to test the

alternative energy warrant in the 1AC

D – Voters – Topicality is a voter for fairness and ground and because the aff must
unconditionally prove the resolution is true
WNDI 2008 9
Topicality

T – Incentive (Positive)
A – Definition – Incentives are positive inducements that reward desired behavior
Princeton Wordnet 3.0, Online, 2008
# S: (n) incentive, inducement, motivator (a positive motivational influence)

B – Violation – The plan is not an incentive – it merely discourages traditional energy use
Carbon Tax only makes it harder to use carbon rather than easier to use renewables
Legalizing Hemp only removes a legal barrier to alternative energy
Removing Ethanol tariffs only removes a legal barrier to alternative energy
CAFÉ standards only punish high emission standards rather than incentivizing new technology

C – Standards
Limits – We exclude cases like Carbon Tax and CAFE while still allowing simple
funding affs and tax breaks

Ground – We can’t read spending or politics because the aff will claim that they only
remove a barrier to alternative energy development

Education – The discussion of incentives vs. regulations is key to the central topic
question, which is the role of the government in market manipulation

D – Voters – Topicality is a voter for fairness and ground and because the aff must
unconditionally prove the resolution is true
WNDI 2008 10
Topicality

Alternative Energy Incentive (Not Regulation)

Incentives are distinct from regulations, which punish traditional consumption rather than
encourage innovation. Scholars agree
David M. Driesen, Associate Professor, Syracuse College of Law, 1/7/2006, “Economic Instruments for
SustainableDevelopment”,
http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/pdf2html.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.syr.edu%2FPdfs%2F0osgood
ehallboo.pdf&images=yes
Scholars usually use the term `economic incentive programmes' or the synonym, `market-based
instruments', to refer to a wide variety of alternatives to tradition- al regulation. 36 This usage reflects
convention, rather than a clear analysis of the differences between traditional regulation and the alternatives.
For traditional regulatory programmes provide an economic incentive to clean up; they threaten polluters
with fines for failing to comply with standards, as noted previously. Traditional regulation also creates a
market for pollution control ideas and equip- ment, since it requires polluters to clean up. Regulations can
raise the price of goods associated with large amounts of pollution, and therefore encourage con- sumers to
substitute less polluting goods or reduce consumption, thereby further reducing emissions. Even though
all forms of regulation provide economic incentives to reduce pol- lution, scholars generally agree about
what instruments the term `economic incentive programmes refers to, even if the term has no rigorous
definition. And they use the term to refer to alternatives to traditional regulation. Scholars have also
employed varying typologies to classify the many economic instruments used around the world. It might
prove useful to distinguish between price-based instruments, quantity-based instruments and informational-
based instruments.

Alternative Energy Incentives are distinct from market regulations

Glenn C. Ralph, Investors Group Financial Services, Inc., November 2007, Can 'green' investments power your
investment growth?, http://www.mcimortgageconsultants.ca/hollycollin/articles/2007-11/green-investment.html
* Potential market share. Will a company's products be sold and distributed in North America, or around
the world? What is the intensity of the competition? How well-funded are competitors? * Manufacturing
scale. Can a company design and manufacture its product in a cost-effective manner that allows for healthy
profit margins? * Government regulation. Regulations increasingly favour alternative energy sources.
But they vary according to jurisdiction, and are constantly evolving. How will they affect a particular
business? * Incentives. Alternative energy incentives are becoming more common, with government
tax breaks and subsidies for producers and consumers. How might these benefit an alternative energy
investment?
WNDI 2008 11
Topicality

Alternative Energy Incentives (Funding for Development)

Alternative Energy Incentives are governmental funding and economic support for
development of alternative energy producers
Alan Kotok, July 14, 2006, American Computer Scientist, Fincancing Your Research in Alternative Energy.
Science Careers, Journal of Science.
As in most other fields, researchers needing funds for their alternative-energy investigations often look to
government and private sources. Since the 1970's at least, the U.S. federal government has had an
interest in alternative sources of energy, although funding for those efforts has risen and fallen with
economic conditions, fuel prices, and political administrations, among other factors. Recently, high oil prices
have renewed interest in alternative energy research. One consequence of the recent surge in oil prices is the
Energy Policy Act of 2005, which offers a series of grants and tax incentives to encourage development
and investment in alternative energy sources: biofuels, forest biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal.
WNDI 2008 12
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels)

Alternative Energy means non-fossil fuels
IPCC, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, jointly established by the World Meteorological
Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. “Climate Change 2001: Working Group III:
Mitigation,” 2001 http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg3/454.htm
Alternative energy: Energy derived from non-fossil fuel sources.

Alternative energy means not fossil fuels

Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC: Glossary of Environmental Terms,
http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp, 2008
alternative energy - energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as
solar or wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).

Alternative energy means not fossil fuels or natural gas

Information Architects, Green Glossary, 2008, http://www.iagreen.com/glossary.htm
Energy from a source other than the conventional fossil-fuel sources of oil, natural gas and coal (i.e.,
wind, running water, the sun). Also referred to as "alternative fuel."
WNDI 2008 13
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Not Fossil Fuels, Gas, Coal, Nuclear Power)

Non-fossil fuels, oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power
Christopher Simon, (Prof., Political Science, U. Nevada, Reno), ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: POLITICAL,
ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL FEASIBILITY, 07, 39-40.
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."

US tax code excludes nuclear power

Title 26 of Internal Revenue Code, Chapter 79 § 7701 “Definitions,”
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode26/usc_sec_26_00007701----000-.html
(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.
WNDI 2008 14
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Natural Gas)

Alternative Energy includes natural gas
The EPA, Glossary of Climate Change Terms, 2008, http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/glossary.html
Energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar, hydroelectric, wind).5
WNDI 2008 15
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Not Natural Gas)

Alternative energy excludes fossil fuels and natural gas
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1), 2008
energy, as solar, wind, or nuclear energy, that can replace or supplement traditional fossil-fuel sources,
as coal, oil, and natural gas.
WNDI 2008 16
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Not Nuclear Power)

Nuclear Power is not alternative energy – it belongs in the same category as fossil fuels
Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) http://www.fact-index.com/f/fo/fossil_fuel.html Accessed 2004
Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon fuels or hydrocarbon containing fuels such as petroleum (including
natural gas) and coal. The utilization of fossil fuels has fueled industrial development and largely
supplanted water driven mills and wood or peat burning for heat. With nuclear power, it makes up the
category of nuclear-fossil energy.

Nuclear energy is not renewable

Department of Energy http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-
renewable/nonrenewable.html Accessed 2004
Nonrenewable energy sources come out of the ground as liquids, gases and solids. Right now, crude oil
(petroleum) is the only naturally liquid commercial fossil fuel. Natural gas and propane are normally gases,
and coal is a solid. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and propane are all considered fossil fuels because they
formed from the buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Uranium ore, a solid,
is mined and converted to a fuel. Uranium is not a fossil fuel. These energy sources are considered
nonrenewable because they can not be replenished (made again) in a short period of time. Renewable
energy sources can be replenished naturally in a short period of time.

More evidence
Cygnus Renewable
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:mRiBxTOQ1TEJ:www.cygnusrenewable.com/page2.html+%22is+not+a+fos
sil+fuel%22,+uranium&hl=en Accessed 2004
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas come from biomass which was produced in the distant past and
has been transformed by geological activity. World reserves of fossil fuels are finite and are being
depleted. They are therefore referred to as non-renewable energy resources. Uranium for the generation of
nuclear energy is not a fossil fuel, but still requires the depletion of finite physical reserves so it is
included as a non-renewable energy source.
WNDI 2008 17
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Renewables)

Alternative energy means renewables
Minerals Management Service, government agency in charge of regulating domestic energy production, 7-
16-2008, http://www.mms.gov/offshore/AlternativeEnergy/Definitions.htm
Fuel sources that are other than those derived from fossil fuels. Typically used interchangeably for
renewable energy. Examples include: wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal energy.

More
MSN Encarta Online Dictionary, 2008
naturally generated energy source: any form of energy obtained from the Sun, wind, waves, or another
natural renewable source, in contrast to energy generated from fossil fuels

Alternative energy means environmentally friendly renewables

Compact Oxford English Dictionary Online, 2008
energy fuelled in ways that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.

Alternative energy means renewables

Nelson Education, Canada’s leading educational publisher providing innovative products and solutions for
learners of all ages, Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective, 2nd edition.,
http://environment.nelson.com/0176169040/glossary.html 2008
Alternative Energy - Renewable energy sources, such as wind, flowing water, solar energy and biomass,
which create less environmental damage and pollution than fossil fuels, and offer an alternative to
nonrenewable resources.
WNDI 2008 18
Topicality

Alternative Energy (Fluid Meaning)

There’s no agreed upon definition of “alternative energy” – hundreds of scientists recently
held a conference explicitly to define the term and FAILED TO AGREE on a definition.
Christopher A. Simon, poli sci prof at University of Nevada, Reno. Alternative energy: political, economic, and
social feasibility, 2007 pp. 39-41
Previous chapters outlined the trends that have led the United States in the direction of alternative energy. Social and political events of
the 1960s and 1970s were responsible for the initial shifts in the energy paradigm. The book has also introduced the reader to ways of
thinking about public policy, particularly in relation to alternative energy. 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 energy” 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 (see CEA-NRCan 2002). By defining the term, it is not my 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. WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY? 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 facility[ies],” which meet certain standards
as defined in Title 26, chapter I, §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. Many state definitions of alternative energy closely follow federal definitions. Case
law confirms that federal guidelines supercede state-level guidelines. Federal standards also impact the state and local receipt of
alternative energy grants, subsidies, and tax exemptions. It is reasonable, therefore, that state and local definitions would be consistent
with federal energy policy. Consistency between federal and state definitions does not mean that there are not a few variations. In many
ways, variation at the state level illustrates the dynamic and evolving alternative energy paradigm, which
is by no means unique to the U.S. policy process. Energy Versus 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 transformed from one form into another (EERe 2005a). Energy can be measured in a variety always, 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 (eg. 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. State-level variation
illustrates the role politics plays in shaping the alternative energy paradigm. State-energy economic interests
often impact the choices related to the adoption of alternative energy policies. For example, in states with coal production. it is likely that
interest groups representing fossil fuel industries and environmental interests will square off, seeking to shape the regulation of energy
uses and production as well as the nature of redistributive policies intended to provide cleaner energy, the latter effectively benefiting
individuals and groups who may bear environmental and health costs associated with fossil fuel use. In some cases, there are even
different tiers or categories of ‘alternative energy,” depending on the source’s level or shades of “greenness” (Mandelbaum and Brown
2004: 1). Perhaps the most well-known recent example of very broadly defined and apparently “relaxed” standards for the concept
“alternative 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 identifies energy sources and relates these sources to
relative ‘greenness.’ which is by implication measured by the level of environmental emissions or potential for environmental harm. The
alternative energy greenness divides types into Tier I and Tier II alternative energy sources. Tier I alternative energy sources are: (I) solar
PV energy; (2) wind power: (3) low-impact hydropower;’ (4) geothermal energy;2 (5) biologically derived methane gas;1 (6) fuel cells:4
(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 greenhouse 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: (2) 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. Alternative energy cannot be assumed to have certain
properties, such as zero greenhouse gas emissions or complete disassociation from hydrocarbon energy
sources. At the federal level, the expansion of nuclear energy has been proposed as a form of alternative
energy, replacing the use of hydrocarbons to produce electrical or thermal energy. What is alternative energy? Simply
put, it is not a unified concept. The lack of clarity and consistency in definition, however, provides an
opportunity for individuals and groups considering alternative energy sources for their communities, states, or
nation. The lack of rigidity in definition reflects the likelihood that perspectives on alternative energy
will be more likely related to a search process focusing on energy alternatives.
WNDI 2008 19
Topicality

Incentive (Motivator)
An incentive is a motivator
MSN Encarta Online, 2008
something that encourages somebody to action: something that encourages or motivates somebody to do
something

More
Compact Oxford English Dictionary 2008
• noun a thing that motivates or encourages someone to action or increased effort.

More
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 10th edition 2008
something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action

More
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Online, 2008
something which encourages a person to do something: Tax incentives have been very effective in
encouraging people to save and invest more of their income. [+ to infinitive] There is little incentive for
people to leave their cars at home when public transport remains so expensive. Bonus payments provide an
incentive to work harder.
WNDI 2008 20
Topicality

Incentive (Not Regulation)

Incentives are distinct from regulations
Regulation:
Winston Harrington, (Prof., Georgetown U. Public Policy Institute), THE RFF READER IN ENVIRONMENTAL
AND RESOURCE POLICY: SECOND EDITION, 06, 66.
Environmental policies can rely more on direct regulation (the command-and-control or CAC approach)
or, alternatively, on economic incentives for environmental protection.
WNDI 2008 21
Topicality

Incentive (Positive)
Incentives are positive rewards for behavior
Electric Power Research Institute, 2005 , “A coalfleet working paper,”
http://www.cis.state.mi.us/mpsc/electric/capacity/cnf/central/igcc_incentives.pdf
This paper presents EPRI’s analysis of the effectiveness of eight alternative Federal financial incentives that
have been proposed to mitigate IGCC’s higher costs and risks. The intent of these incentives is to lessen the
cost differential between IGCC and conventional coal technologies so that an initial set of IGCC plants will
be deployed, allowing future experience based reductions in cost and improvements in performance that
could make IGCC commercially viable. The incentives analyzed include: loan guarantees, direct Federal
loans, Federal cost sharing grants, investment tax credits, production tax credits, tax-exempt financing,
accelerated depreciation, and Federal availability insurance. The analysis looks at the usefulness of each
incentive for three types of project owners: regulated investor-owned utilities (IOUs), independent power
producers with a power purchase agreement (IPPs), and public power (including cooperative, Federal,
municipal, and state entities

Incentives most be positive

Princeton Wordnet 3.0, Online, 2008
# S: (n) incentive, inducement, motivator (a positive motivational influence)
WNDI 2008 22
Topicality

Incentive (Negative or Positive)

Incentives can be rewards or punishments
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or
motivates effort.