How dependent are we on foreign oil?
Nearly 40 years after the peak of U.S. oil production, black gold is becoming a black sheep.
By Russell McLendonWed, Aug 12 2009 at 5:00 AM EST Article
Permalink Reply by SJC on August 30, 2009 at 1:00pm
Energy "independent" is a fantasy, it depends on how you define the term. Now that we are almost 70% dependent on foreign oil, we might get to 50% imported oil in 10 years with a LOT of hard work. It is worth doing, but we have to be realistic with our goals.
Bad government policies in recent decades led to a "need' for extensive bailouts which 1 worsened or 2 slowed slightly the world economic recession. Either way, most rich people, governments and institutions presently have a cash flow problem. so there is little money available for a massive alternative energy program. If you are thinking USA first, we need to build numerous factories to manufacture big wind turbines, turbine pylons, copper and aluminum wire, towers for a HVDC = high voltage direct current power line from West Texas to Tampa, Florida or other East coast location.
I can spare one dollar, can you find a few billion other people to contribute a dollar? It will take at least a year till these USA factories are completed and producing salable products/ 10 years if government does this. Unfortunately a few billion dollars does not build many factories, power lines or wind turbines, so it will take more than ten years to to get to 50% foreign oil, unless we throw lots of money at the transition. Concentrating solar and algae in transparent pipes also needs billions in start up funds if we are going to do either quickly. Unfortunately none of these alternative energy projects are likely to prove profitable even long term, except by factoring in reduced environmental damage, which does not produce a return on the investment for the investors.. Neil
Tell your famIily, friends & neighbors about the Pickens Plan. I heard Mr. Pickens plan at a luncheon in Dallas today. He is so right. We have to get our government to back this plan. NOW!!