We need more power
Up until now the nation and the economy have been able to absorb higher energy prices without falling into economic recession, as happened in the 1970s. That situation may not last, however.
What bothers me the most is that we've had years to address this problem and instead of moving forward on a broad front we are stuck fighting for which one ( Read more... )
What bothers me the most is that we've had years to address this problem and instead of moving forward on a broad front we are stuck fighting for which one ( Read more... )
Comments 8
No. But fear of economic stupidity should. We import so much energy because it is more economical than obtaining all of it domestically. We ight currently be able to grow enough bio-feuls to meet demand, but at what cost? You can be damn sure it'd be well beyond $3 a gallon...
Secondly, I have nothing against nuclear power, but it's not a substitute for oil consumption. Nuclear power plants generate electricity. Precious little oil is used in this country, or anywhere else, to generate electricity, becase oil has hundreds, if not thousands of uses beyond electrical generation, and fetches a higher price in those refined forms. Nuclear can be a substitute to coal, hydro, wind, solar, etc. But unless we're all driving electric cars (not likely, for its own list of reasons) it'll erase maybe 1 or 2% of oil use.
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And if we ever do convert to all electric vehicles nuclear power is something can can ramp up to meet that demand without contributing to atmospheric pollution.
Not to mention creating more depleted uranium for the armed forces. :D
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It is not inevitable, but it is quite possible, that the cost of oil will rise dramatically over the next lustrum to decade. If we invade Iran, there may be an interruption of supply from that country; if we pull out of the Mideast, defeated, there may be an atomic war in the region over the same time frame.
It is true that coal, which we can obtain from domestic sources, can replace oil. But this is a step backward, and one with severe air quality consequences. Coal is one of the most polluting energy sources available; it has historically killed large numbers of people in areas that have used it heavily.
It is also true that a lot of our oil needs come from vehicles. However, it is not true that the vast majority of our oil is burned as gasoline; there is a strong tendency to underestimate the amount of ( ... )
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It is ironic, or perhaps telling, that the most socialist nation in Europe continued to expand and use nuclear power all the while it was helping protest against American and English nuclear technology.
Sadly, it may be Canada that builds more nuclear plants first in order to sell electricity to the United States because of concerns about hydro electric power.
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We need this kind of commitment now.
If only there was some event to put this into focus. Some event that got every American's attention, and showed the dangers of being dependent on the Middle East for our power. Some event so profound and crystalizing that the president could stand up and say "We need to change our energy direction NOW, and every American needs to be committed". Some event that could give enough political capital to the president that there would be no way congress or anyone else would stand in the way of our quest. Some tragedy that could be transformed into an opportunity to get our great nation off its oil addiction.
Screw it. Lets invade Iraq instead.
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