More drilling here as well as tax incentives for companies that develop fuel cell technology and other forms power.
In the midwest their is plenty of wind power we could use!
Unfortunantely the Saudis and have been spending millions of oil soaked dollars to block all this.
There are a half-dozen alternatives out there for adoption within two to five years, IF there is assurance of high and steady prices.
1. Oil shale - there is a break-even level at about $50/barrel, and Utah has a wealth of it on or near the surface.
2. Wells that are now capped in the "oil-patch" country of Oklahoma and Texas, that will still yield, but the recovery costs make exploitation economically feasible at prices below $50-$60/barrel.
3. Offshore petroleum and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as huge amounts of Methane Hydrate which may be recovered with no need of drilling at all, but require specialized recovery techniques, much like vacuuming it up off the ocean floor. High initial investment, but the plentiful supplies and the relative ease of recovery should assure relatively low costs, especially for natural gas.
4. Invade Mexico, and take their oil in exchange for all the support we provide for the undocumented Mexican nationals they insist on dumping on us. Priceless.
5. Turn our coal production regions into coal gasification plants, and use the gas produced (H2 and Carbon Monoxide) as a substitute for natural gas, or separate the Carbon Monoxide from the H2, and use it directly in fuel cell systems. Wave of the future, doncha know.
6. Start building nuclear power plants using 21st Century techniques, with modified fast breeder reactors and recycling "spent" nuclear fuel rods. Even plutonium will yield up its energy content if kept in confinement and its emissions are trapped for their heat generation capabilities. Sets the greenies screaming, with all that cheap electricity available.
We have the means, we have the incentive, and very soon, it will be economically feasible.
The primary source is the Illinois Legislature (blue) and the Illinois Governor (also blue).
My son, who used to live in AK, says even with the drilling in ANWR, the oil will be pumped onto Japanese oil tankers. WE need more refineries opened back up in the good ole USA. President Bush needs to get busy and go after those wackos who closed them down.
Fuel cells are as worthless in promoting American energy self-sufficiency as anvils are for flying kites. You gotta get off that. Other than that, good post.
Washington D.C. (is) the "WIND Capitol" Of the world!