Fossil Fuel Free In Ten Years

[jreeves]

How Wind Farms May Really Replace Coal Mining | Environment | AlterNet

Alternative energy is great, hence why Pelosi should stop blocking the comprehensive Gop plan in Congress which would provide a bridge to those alternatives.

 

[I Missthe North]

Could it be done?

Yes, and here's why.

First, the needed technologies exist right now. No need to wait for some time way out in the future when we can all line up to buy hydrogen from multi national corporations who have cornered the market on hydrogen.

Second, we are Americans. We have historically risen to the challange to inovate. We spanned a continent with railroads, built the Panama Canal, electrified rural America, built the interstate highway system, and put a man on the moon. The challange is not too great.

One immediate question is how will we run our cars? The answer is electric cars. Again the technologies exist right now. You say "but electric cars can only go 75 to 100 miles with out a re-charge". True, but answer this question; What is the range of an electric car, if instead of pulling into a gas station you pulled into a battery exchane station? Answer;Unlimited.

Where will we get the needed electricity? Existing hydro generation, wind, solar and geo-thermal. Temporary use of natural gas (a relatively clean buring fossil fuel) during the transitional period will help bridge the gap.

Wind generation is a proven producer right now. Science News reported a couple years ago that virtually all the power needs of the US could be met with wind power alone. Wind is far cheaper than nuclear power and competitve with fossil fuels.

Solar panels (photovoltaic or PV panels) could become ubiquitous with legislation requiring all new buildings to produce a portion of their useage, say 10%. This would immediately create a market for PV, competition and mass production would drive the price down to the point that it would make economic sense for indiviuals to install PV panels. Who wouldn't invest a few hundred dollars for PV if the payback period was just a couple years and thereafter the panels would actually make money. There would also have to be requirements for power providers to install two way metering upon request.

These are the basics. Just immagine what would happen to the price of oil if we announced to the world our intention to be fossil fuel free in ten years. And where would the terrorists get the money to carry on world wide jihad if their benefactors where suddenly without their sea of oil profits?

You are completely right, but until our government takes action to bring about this change, it will be a slow, slow process. As of the right now, the oil companies are lining the pockets of our politicians and a large sector of economy relies on fossil fuels to survive (automobiles, oil companies, plastics companies, factories, energy providers, the highway system, etc.). Unless drastic measures are taken in congress, I fear the process will be painfully slow. Maybe once Bush and his oil cronies are out of office we will actually see something change. I can dream can't I?

 

[Skull Pilot]

Alternative energy is great, hence why Pelosi should stop blocking the comprehensive Gop plan in Congress which would provide a bridge to those alternatives.

Pelosi is actively blocking everything but wind power because she recently invested 250K in wind.

Michelle Malkin Nan and the Big Wind Boone-doggle

Madame Speaker’s 2007 financial disclosure form. Schedule III lists “assets and ‘unearned income’” of between $100,001-$250,000 from Clean Energy Fuels Corp. - Public Common Stock.” Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is a natural gas provider founded by T. Boone Pickens. Yep, that T. Boone Pickens– former oilman-turned-wind power evangelist whose ads touting a national wind campaign are now as ubiquitous as Viagra promos.

 

[Charles_Main]

Pelosi is actively blocking everything but wind power because she recently invested 250K in wind.

Michelle Malkin Nan and the Big Wind Boone-doggle

Madame Speaker’s 2007 financial disclosure form. Schedule III lists “assets and ‘unearned income’” of between $100,001-$250,000 from Clean Energy Fuels Corp. - Public Common Stock.” Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is a natural gas provider founded by T. Boone Pickens. Yep, that T. Boone Pickens– former oilman-turned-wind power evangelist whose ads touting a national wind campaign are now as ubiquitous as Viagra promos.

Figures.