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I think the first steps are to outline how to save energy and ways to encourage less consumption. Right now, the government tries that, but then the auto lobby and the oil lobby freak out, so the plan never takes place. We need to set a clear goal (e.g. now we use something like 20 million barrels a day --set the goal that by the end of the year, we will reduce that by half a million barrels a day). Then, we do need to find alternate sources of fuel. Example: the new cars that run on vegtable oil. Lets see if the oil companies allow them to ever really see the light of day. At the end of the day, as long as the government is hamstringed by the oil lobby (see bribery) then we shall be in the grip of the internal combustion engine for a while yet. Perhaps it could be left to state legislation to grant licences for cars to be fueled by other fuels, such as ethenol.
by Steelhamster on Sat May 14, 05 6:36am
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Stop ALL subsidies to the automobile and oil industry. Deregulate the energy market. Allow nuclear power plants to be built. I agree with thc's first suggestion: If we want to rein in our dependency on foreign oil, the first thing we have to do is stop subsidizing mindless consumption of oil, in general. In addition, I would suggest incentives for fuel efficiency, conservation, and recycling. These are necessary short-term steps which help our energy situation and our citizens, but do not add to oil company profitability -- hence we know who the biggest opponents would be. Longer term: I suggest we need some sanity in how we live. Unregulated, unplanned urban sprawl is chaotic and wasteful. By planning and subsidizing effective Mass Transit options, rather than subsidize- through- neglect the current one- person- per- car requirement for life in this country, we would do much to reduce our oil dependency, improve our air quality, and offer usable options for people to live better and more conveniently. Consideration of alternate/ optional energy sources is a Good Thing, but such a dastic change will not happen in the near future, barring some supply crisis. Definitely worth pursuing, though. I strongly disagree with thc's suggestion to deregulate the energy market, as that guarantees that the bottom economic portion of our population will eventually be shut out of energy access ... which is necessary for any type of modern life. It is in Society's interest to provide energy access, to maintain peace, prosperity, and minimal standards of living. Energy in today's modern world, like security, is a necessity and should not be subject to the vagaries of an unregulated for-profit market. And fewer oil subsidies. The bastiches don't need government money.
by Truthseeker013 on Sat May 14, 05 2:29pm
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"...should not be subject to the vagaries of an unregulated for-profit market. " But rather the whim of greedy bureaucrats in DC. 1. Close down coal power plants or power plants that run on an unrenwable natural resource; replace them with nuclear power plants, windmills, solar panels. 2. Start putting big taxes on people who own cars with engines bigger than 5.0 liters, unless it's for business purpose (ex: private contractors, buses, etc...). 3. Stop buying oil from the middle east. I don't care how much oil prices soar, as long as it stops funding those anti-west radicals who follow 1000 year old rule books in their governments. 4. Fund hydrogen vehicle researh and make it reality. It's safe to say that my plan would slightly change American culture...for the good.
by Liberal_Democrat on Sat May 14, 05 9:38pm
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I think that it would be a balanced well thought out attempt. I would build refineries, let the oil companies extract more domestically and use a JFK type of challenge to business and science. For instance Cal Davis have developed an SUV that doesn't run on gas and provides nearly all the benefits of a regular SUV. Part of the problem is NIMBY so any energy policy would have to address that. For instance in the Altamont area of California there is the world's largest wind farm. But a bunch of people are concerned that the mills are killing too many birds, yet they demand "alternative" energy. In one case RFK's son has consistently opposed windmills because they would "mar" the view where the Kennedy estate is.
by inter_regnum on Sat May 14, 05 10:59pm
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I'd work to keep fuel prices down by both pressuring producers, encouraging economy, and offering tax incentives to companies for developing alternative sources of fuel and ways to economize with current fuels. And, yeah, penalties for overconsumption, and rewards for savings. Interesting ballot. Thanks.
by griffon007 on Sun May 15, 05 9:53pm
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LD Great long term goals but try to do it too quickly and you'll make the depression look like a mild slowdown in the economy. the energy bill just passed includes a 1.6 BILLION DOLLAR GRANT thats GRANT not loan, to oil companies for exploration into deep drilling. some of the benefactors include mobil oil and haliburton... is there no end to these guys and their hubris?
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