It looks to me as if this is more a matter of regional economic power that is keeping us from developing a more self-sufficient energy policy. New ideas like wind and ethanol shift the energy economy to midwestern and mountain states. I think that is why NE senators block them, really.
I think we're edging toward a better energy policy, but it'll have to be one that make economic sense.
For the record, I recently rode in a hybrid car. It was an outstanding ride, but the dumbest looking vehicle I have ever seen in my life. What we need is more ideas like the hybrid better executed.
I don't know about NE senators blocking energy policy because energy sucks a lot of money out of the economies in the NE states, i.e. winter and transportation of goods.