I predict that oil price increases (and shortages) will force the economy into a long recession beginning in 2010. I’ll even go out on a limb and predict that the recession will make the next president a one-term president as disatisfaction with the economy will force his/her ouster in 2012.
Republicans should hammer Democrats about energy whenever they can. If you remember VP Cheney developed an energy bill in 2002 that, if passed, would have opened up more oil to domestic drilling. Most of that oil would be coming online at about the time that the recession hits. Democrats (and a few RINOs, defeated that bill. Those politicians must be held accountable for their actions. If the Republicans can muster the nerve to blame the energy problems on the Dems & environmentalists then they may get huge electoral victories when the recession hits.
Why don't voters hear and believe the above? Because the Republicans tried to be like DemocRATS by earmarks and loop hole spending not by unleashing the American spirit. Too bad and we have to pay for it...$2.79 at the pumps this week and rising food prices too!! /Rant off
Another thought in this debate is:
If the future of the hybrid auto are the plug-in models, the bulk of the autos will be plugged in at night, either charging batteries or fuel cells.
At night when all the solar plants, and most of the wind plants are offline; increasingly depending on the fossil fuel electric plants to hum along, consuming additional fuels.
Nuclear plants don’t care if it’s light or dark; don’t have fuel supply pipes or barges and boats delivering fuel.
But no, you’d better not build one of them things in my backyard!