Through calculations of eco-efficiency, our grasp of the relationship between cost and environmental value can be sharpened. The research in this issue represents a major advance in this important tool.

This poll underscores the fact that Americans want not only energy independence but also to find ways to break the linkage between energy use and environmental harm, from local air pollution to global warming.

The lagging performance of the United States on environmental issues -- particularly on energy and climate change -- signals trouble not only for the American people, but for the whole world. Perhaps this ranking will serve as a wake-up call to the American public and particularly to leaders in Washington.

We'd like to try to obtain some high-value biotech firms and research firms. I think we're having good discussions with Scripps, their representatives and others. Those are the kind of jobs we want to bring to Martin County.

Industry looks at research and development for energy efficiency, lowering material costs, so on and so forth.

As in any research, achieving precise efficiency benchmarks is a critical step. Particularly in this kind of research, where reported efficiency numbers can vary so widely, we're grateful to the NREL for assisting us in confirming the accuracy of our work.