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To: JamesP81

[The only long term solution is electric cars and nuclear power]

Do more research on this. The electric cars and even some of the hybrids today actually use more resources to build and operate over thier lifetime than some of our fuel guzzling SUVs. I am still working on the research for this. But, I have confirmed that the nickel mine in Canada that produced the orr for the Prius is one of the largest polluters in the WORLD. The components to get the batteries made literraly are shipped around the world for assembly is several different countries. The chemicals and processes to get these "electric/hybird" cars built use and enormous amount of energy to construct. The selling point that they use less fuel to drive is only one componenent that is lost on the overall energy usage of the machine in its lifetime, which is projected to only last about 100,000 miles. SUVs out of detroit are running 250K miles these days and take significantly less energy to produce. They use more fuel to drive, but are significantly more efficient to produce.

Like I said, I am in the process of trying to objectively debunk this. But so far I can confirm that these innovative little fuel starved techno machines are production resource hungry tyrants.

BTW - Electricity still needs to be produced to charge these cars. The electricity is still largely produced by fossil fuels. If the envirowackos would let us build about 50 more Nuclear power plants in this country, I would support more electricity usage.

Finally, my motivation for alternate energy is national security driven, not to avoid human caused global warming. I want America to be 100% independent for energy production.


63 posted on 03/30/2007 7:28:34 AM PDT by Tenacious 1 (No to nitwit jesters with a predisposition of self importance and unqualified political opinions!)
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To: Tenacious 1
Do more research on this. The electric cars and even some of the hybrids today actually use more resources to build and operate over thier lifetime than some of our fuel guzzling SUVs.

Yes, that is currently true in some cases (the newer lithium ion batteries being used in electrics now are much lighter and cheaper, IIRC, and that technology is not yet fully matured). Nevertheless, it is possible under the laws of physics to improve battery storage and manufacturing techniques, and it is physically possible to construct the necessary electrical infrastructure to support all of this. It is not physically possible to grow enough ethanol and biodiesel crops to satisfy demand.

People will continually refuse to consider electric cars / nuclear power until we end up in a shooting war with Iran and gas goes $7.50 a gallon. Eventually, something's going to have to give, and when it does, it'll be ugly but only then will something actually get done.
66 posted on 03/30/2007 7:34:31 AM PDT by JamesP81 (Eph 6:12)
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