|
Energy
Sept 3, 2008 21:34:55 GMT -6
Post by Tzalaran on Sept 3, 2008 21:34:55 GMT -6
So we are faced with 2 views on Energy, except they both sound the same to me... Republicans state Drill, build pipeline, wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear, and biofuels. they have given no standards or timetables that would support anything except the drill now demand and nuclear now. There is a mandate to end dependence on foreign oil, but little on how to achieve that. Democrats state 20% electricity production by renewables in 10 years, natural gas pipeline, wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels, with a significant emphasis on eliminating fossil fuel usage. Research into future power sources would become a priority. i have been given no reason to believe the Republicans on their energy policy, because i've heard the same things from them for 8 years, with no additional emphasis on them acting on it. in fact, it seems to me that they have prevented or at least discouraged pursiuts of these avenues. i'm of the opinion that at this point, the Dems have a better plan to address the issues that this country faces on the energy issue. Their plan has been fleshed out through the convention's early speakers (i'm very glad i have c-span. ), and i've heard no details from the Republicans in 3 days, only broad seemingly empty promises based on history, other than drill and nuclear now.
|
|
|
Energy
Oct 15, 2008 9:11:07 GMT -6
Post by Tzalaran on Oct 15, 2008 9:11:07 GMT -6
A friend of mine came over last night and we started discussing energy, as that is one of his favorite topics. We discussed how the biggest problem in our economy today is the cost of energy, and that cost is driving up prices for all goods and services. The issue then is how can we force prices of energy to decline?
He brought up alot of good points about how the entire way that we think about energy is wrong. There is currently a big business approach to the energy issue that continually forces a bottleneck that can be used to control the price point. Corporations see energy as a way to make profits, and so they are closing down the alternatives to petroleum to see their bottom lines reap the benefits of supply side economics.
We discussed a way to get around this, and it boils down to making each community self sufficient in energy. installing wind and solar generators, with hydrothermal plants joining in this where applicable should be able to support each communities electricity needs, so then we just need an alternative to transportation fuel sources. Biodiesel would be the optimal fuel source, as its only by product is water, but in order to have localized biodiesel plants we would have to begin planting pine trees for harvesting. this would mean that at least 20-40 years to allow the trees to grow before we could begin harvesting the sap for processing into biodiesel. there are also possibilities in using certain types of algae for biofuels, as is now being used by a European airline, which would be able to start significantly sooner due to the lessening need for the plants to grow.
Natural gas could also be utilized as a bridge between Oil and Biofuels, and the US has large reserves of natural gas that could be tapped into, but the problem with this is that the companies who are controlling natural gas development are wanting to bring the price of natural gas to near what Oil is now to maximize their profits. Natural gas is still a fossil fuel, and it won't last forever either, so it is only a matter of time before its price is inflated. This becomes a vicious cycle that only hurts the citizens of the world.
So instead of thinking on the massive Macro levels, we should really focus on making each community energy independent, using the resources around the local area to provide the energy that is needed. with algae farms and processing plants for Biofuels, combined with wind and solar generators placed optimally in the area, within 20 years we could have each community across this nation energy independent and we could also have large plants for exporting these Biofuels. rethinking the agribusiness methods to accommodate this would also be necessary, and we could look into reforesting those areas in our country that have been cleared for human growth in order to provide the environment a larger capacity for eliminating pollution and allow us to lead by example in being environmentally conscious. it all starts by eliminating the Macro-energy vision and looking into each communities energy needs, and how we can make them self sufficient.
This process would create jobs that would never be able to be outsourced, minimize the ability of Hurricanes and other natural disasters to impact the supply of energy to our country, and reduce our need to import resources necessary to power our modern society. I wish that our candidates would look into addressing the energy issue in this way, and feel that Obama's energy plan is closer to this than McCain's drill baby drill solution that solves nothing.
|
|