and we have to accept that other countries such as china and india are now (also) big oil hogs and the global demand for oil just keeps getting higher and is not gonna go back. at this point, no matter what WE do to reduce dependency on oil by going to other energy methods, that demand is not going to slow down, and prices are not going to go down. i agree with everyone (including pickens) that says we must explore and use all methods of energy production to diversify energy use and reduce the dependence on oil. i especially favor the clean renewable sources such as solar and wind powered energy. as bad as anyone wants to say carter was as a president, the one thing he did do was try to start changing the mindset away from oil and looking at alternative energy methods. solar panels on the white house wasnt such a bad idea as far as setting an example when you look back on it. and the tax breaks (was it rebates? i cant remember) for installing home solar panels was a step in the right direction for incentive. unfortunately, we got away from that temporary oil embargo mindset and dependence on oil, foreign oil in particular, went higher than ever. to me, the mindset that oil is always gonna be there and in plentiful supplies is part of the problem. i'm not saying that we have to give up oil use, but rather lesson its use and the dependence on it so that it is there for a longer time, and can be used as simply one of many energy sources, not THE energy source.
The world needs a good reorganization. Oil is required for certain functions, and will end up limited to those uses. Heavy equipment for mining or earth moving probably won't work on electricity and there are lubricating applications that require oil. Transportation of individuals can be done with electric cars and natural gas powered vehicles, and it will in the near future. With natural gas, you would just hook up to your crawfish burner valve when you get home at night and "fill up". Both natural gas and electricity (especially from wind) are cleaner than gasoline. Pickens said there are 10 million natural gas powered vehicles in the world, less than 1% are in the US, but GM makes some of them, just not sold in the US.
Actually many of the worlds biggest excavators are electric and run on long, very thick extension cords. Trains can electrify as well, there are electric trains all over. The issue is cars and trucks.
Maybe its because government restricts what they can do but anyway why should that be any different? We've all talked in our discussions about how Democracies and government are slow to respond to change. I think that could be part of the reason. On the other hand, since we are talking about subsidies I bet that their are others other than oil that receive subsidies that no longer need them either. I wouldn't go this far, I don't think liberal politicians have done Big Oil any favors for years, example. I'm not denying that it does happen, just don't think it is that widespread.
that's funny. i paid more while i lived in portland by choice, so i would use green electricity. hopefully my lack of carbon footprint cancels out your crater.
Less reliance on oil would drive down the cost of so many things that you consume. The increase in your power bill would be more than cancelled out.
here's what you do. back the pickens plan and if it comes to fruition, invest in anything to do with wind power, like GE and the companies contracted to build the towers or what not. the return on investment will more than cover the extra price of electricity, until prices go down.
