Quite right on all points, at least we can hope so. But all energy sources are substitutes at some price level. For example, I use electric heatpumps for heating rather than oil or gas. And the French have a great train system powered by nuclear energy, whereas the Germans have a great train system powered by a variety of electric sources, including wind.
I just depends on how you want to spend your money. We have been spending it the wrong way.
James Fox
of PA
@
Mar 06, 2009 08:07:36 AM
A New Dawn?
While I agree with James Fox's analysis of US energy failures over the last 30 years. (For years, I advocated an escalating gasoline tax to provide incentives to move to alternatve, more efficient transport, and was roundly boo'ed) I think that the situation has changed for the following reasons (and others):
1) "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I don't think that Americans, as a whole, will be as naive going forward.
2) The twin spectres of climate change and geopolitical peak oil are changing the debate on energy in general and oil in particular. Witness the rhetoric and action from the new administration in Washington.
3) This is now a *global* problem with many nations weighing in and pressuring for fundamental change. Even the Middle Eastern "petro states" are quietly funding renewable research and commercialization.
4) Business and consumers are recognizing the huge bottom-line and PR value of reducing energy use.
It is important to note that the solar/wind renewables focus mainly impacts electricity and will not, in the current regime, offset much gasoline/diesel (i.e., petroleum) consumption. Renewables - with the exception of biofuels - will substantially reduce gasoline/diesel only when significant numbers of the automobiles are powered by electricity - probably 10-15 years at the earliest. This confusion of energies ("electrons versus liquids" as one pundit puts it) has muddied debate on energy issues for years.
Kris Childress
@
Mar 05, 2009 23:18:04 PM
Too bad we have only had 36 years to prepare for this
How quickly we forget. The Saudis have a saying that the best energy pricing strategy is $100/barrel for several years, followed by $40/barrel for one year. They know perfectly well that the U.S. will shelve its energy-independence programs instantly, leaving us vulnerable to the next spike in prices. In the meantime, the right-wingers will work hard to convince us that we need to spend another $1T in defending the Middle East (actually defending the Saudi royal family), even though most of their oil now goes to China. You would think that the U.S. would wise up. But it didn't happen after the first oil embargo in 1973, and the U.S. has not learned much since.
James Fox of PA @ Mar 06, 2009 08:07:36 AM
Kris Childress @ Mar 05, 2009 23:18:04 PM
James Fox of PA @ Mar 05, 2009 22:41:08 PM
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