We Can End Oil Addiction

Frontpagemag.com ^ | 08-04-2006 | Richard Lugar and Vinod Khosla

[sergey1973]

There is a growing consensus America must end its addiction to oil. Yet there is despair we can actually do so, short of draconian cuts in energy use that would leave Americans sweltering -- or shivering -- in the dark and trudging to work for miles on foot. Such defeatism is unworthy and unwarranted. America can end its addiction. Thanks to technology and the new economics of energy, the time is ripe to launch an energy revolution and shift toward ethanol as a major transportation fuel.

Unlike exotic alternatives such as hydrogen, with ethanol we don't need new engines, or new fuel distribution and storage. And we don't need a lot of time or taxpayer money. With the right incentives, a revolutionary transformation could kick off tomorrow. In 25 years, ethanol produced from corn, biomass and other renewable material could be the dominant fuel for cars, SUVs and light trucks.

[sergey1973]

Anything that could end the dependency on the Middle East Jihadist oil is worthy of consideration.

[sergey1973]

Energy Independence PING ! I'd really love to see the day (and hopefully soon) when the USA is no longer dependent on Jihadist Middle East Oil.

Material for another "I have a Dream Speech" -:))))

[Lucky9teen]

We just need to drill on our own soil in our own land and use our OWN resources. AND, we need to start using alternative sources as well. It's just beyond me why it's not already being done. It would end a lot more than dependency on the Middle East for oil!!!

[Lady Jag]

But DemoGnats would rather bitch about sending our kids to Iraq than have us dig in Alaska or go for any oil on our land.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Nothing I've read convinces me that ethanol is net energy positive. And you are mining the topsoil as you convert the incoming solar energy.

But, at current oil prices, we might find Colorado oil shale, coal gasification, and (already in production) Canadian tar sands able to change our dependence. The problem is that the Arabs will still have the cheap marginal production, and can turn supply up and down to twiddle prices and make these other sources less economic.

[samm1148]

Just forget it. I've went on this tirade before: We can't have our own oil cuz drillin' in the wildlife would upset them bars and deers. Can't have wind power; might shave a wing off a pigeon. Can't have nuclear cuz don't ya know that will ruin your teefs? Can't have coal cuz of the acid rain; aint you seen the evidence on that in the movie Robocop?

Just forget it and prepare to consign yourself to squatting in a damp cave. You could warm your self with a fire but forget that; some enviro nazi will have a regulation on burning wood soon enough.

[Steely Tom]

The problem is that the Arabs will still have the cheap marginal production, and can turn supply up and down to twiddle prices and make these other sources less economic.

Yeah, but doesn't it still accomplish the same goal? Forcing the Arabs to drop their price keeps our money out of their evil hands. They've got huge welfare states to support; the price of crude wouldn't have to go that low before they'd be in a world of hurt, with their own populations turning on them.

[Steely Tom]

The problem is that the Arabs will still have the cheap marginal production, and can turn supply up and down to twiddle prices and make these other sources less economic.

Yeah, but doesn't it still accomplish the same goal? Forcing the Arabs to drop their price keeps our money out of their evil hands. They've got huge welfare states to support; the price of crude wouldn't have to go that low before they'd be in a world of hurt, with their own populations turning on them.

[decimon]

The necessity of government providing financial incentives and "requirements" is not encouraging.

[GBA]

Ethanol from corn? This is the solution? It's liable to cause as many problems as it solves. Corn production is very energy intensive to farm and does a number on the soil. It doesn't have as much energy as gasoline, so power and mileage suffer.

Let us drill our own oil fields, especially off of Florida before the Chinese take it all. I'm sure we'll do less damage to the environment than the Chicoms will and they will drill for the Cubans.

As the prices rise, market forces will adjust demand and new technologies will follow. Ethanol should be a part of the energy equation, along with new nukes, solar, wind, etc. But let's also open up the areas currently off limits to drilling.

[EVO X]

Anything that could end the dependency on the Middle East Jihadist oil is worthy of consideration.

It is going to have to wait a few years. We have quite a few relatively new low mileage vehicles on the road.

[Sybeck1]

What will the cows and hogs eat, and will popcorn prices go up? My dad was a farmer and I still remember the government paid him to not plant a portion of his available land. Is this just another way to to get just get ADM subsidies?

[dakine]

Nah, let's use all their oil first...

[bbenton]

check this out. http://www.angellabsllc.com/mytengine.html

This type of technology could help cut down our consumption.

[Paperdoll]

If you don't think we should take oil from Alaskan's oil rich North Slope just yet, at least we'd better drill off Florida's shore before the Cuban Commies siphon our oil off there. If there is oil for the taking in the world, then it is our best interest to do so - one way or the other. Sorry. I'm really not a hardbitten tough lady. I just think it's time to fight for America's survival.

[itsahoot]

some enviro nazi will have a regulation on burning wood soon enough.

Uh, I guess you haven't seen the catalytic converters on the heating stoves.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Just stop with the negative talk.

[dynachrome]

Is it coincidence that Lugar has a lot of corn in his state?

[samm1148]

At almost half a century old and having been a witness to this nonsense it is better to resign yourself to the foolishness.

I think it is a tragedy that we are starving for fuel amidst a glut of energy; but no one seems interested in standing up and saying no to these wackos. So when I see things like this I just warn people: Don't get your hopes up. The socialists have us exactly where they want us and that won't change until there is a will to do it. There is none now.

[rambo316]

It's called xsnx.ob (XSUNX is the companies' name)

it is an over the counter stock but it low right now and it is great time to get into it. Of coarse do your DD but it is going to be a good one some day. Have a great weekend all.