Comment from Bettina Hempel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am

Keeping strictly to the speed limit when driving saves a lot of gas.

Comment from Jess Barnett
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

Cities need to improve their public transportation systems so that they are more palatable to commuters. We also need more PSAs/advertising that promote these systems.

Comment from Lopamudra Giri
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

Solar power and Renewable energy and Sustainable Goverance all over the world necessary.Thanks.

Comment from Kelly Ryan
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

REDUCE REDUCE REDUCE consumption! That is pivotal...we all buy too much and waste too much! Also use public transportation, a bike, or your own two feet whenver at all possible.

Comment from Pavel Ivanov
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

This topic was taboo; I hope it should not be now:
The SUVs marketed as safer vehicles are in fact less safe for their drivers, their passengers, the pedestrians and the people in other vehicles.

I do not want to see them coming back advertised as hybrid. They can not be fuel efficient because the air drag caused by their shape. Hybrid power source is not a cure for their shape and mass.

Would you please look at this book: High and Mighty: SUVs–The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way, by Keith Bradsher (Author)
Please look also here:
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/EETD-SUV-Safety-newWin.html

Now is a good time to inform the public about the harm caused by these vehicles.

Best regards,

Pavel Ivanov

Comment from Mike McElhare
August 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am

There needs to be ways to make solar power available in homes at a price that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Maybe some significant tax breaks or public financing.

Comment from Elke Schoffers
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

Whenever possible, replace lawns with native plants, vegetable gardens, perennials or any other ground cover. It is also possible to replace them with slow growing grass that requires no or little mowing. Some cultivars do best when acutally not cut.

Comment from Kim Sherman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

Avoid using plastic as much as possible. This stuff does not break down and ends up in the ocean, gets eaten by fish, and we end up eating it too.
Take your own bags to the grocery store.
Wrap your sandwich in waxed paper.
Use paper bags for garbage.
Save jars and use for leftovers.
I'm not sure what to use for taking my 3 oz. liquids on the airplane.

Comment from Anne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

1) There is no real reason other than deregulation and greed for the price of gas to be so high. We need for our government to be protecting us by regulating commerce rhater thanbeing the agent for commerce talking advantage of the populace. There is plenty of oil.
2) We need to end the tax incentives for oil and create big tax incentives for the development, implimentation and usage of inexpensive and environmentally healthy energy.

Comment from Susan Wyman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

We in Michigan, surrounded by Great Lakes, should be leaders in wind energy. States with lots of sun should lead in solar. Most shipping should be done by train along with a lot more personal transportation: this means improving the train systems. All buildings should be required to have their climate at 68-72 year round: why wear sweaters in the summer and boil up in the winter? Once again, we should be required to drive 60 (not 55–no one liked that!) instead of 70 on the x-ways. If we can get everything but vehicles off gas and oil and fuel oil, the oil that remains can be used for transportation. No drilling in sensitive areas!!

Comment from Tilman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

We need to build a railway system like Europe has. Lots of trains running several times throughout the day and night. We need both intracity and intercity transportation in order to make this a reasonable alternative to driving. These trains should run on electricity powered by clean sources. I believe this is our only chance to lower the massive amount of pollution caused by transportation each day.

Comment from Wayne D Pickette
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

I have developed a short term solution:
It is currently wending its way through the USPTO

The system replaces the internal combustion engine and it's accessories.

The system decreases fuel usage approximately 60% to 100% depending on whether Solar Energy is available. When on fuel the system has no service requirements over 5 years.

The system can use nine fuels:\
Hydrogen, alcohol, E85, gasoline, kerosene, propane, butane, Natural Gas and (diesel which not recommended due to dirtiness)

Comment from Thomas Barth
August 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am

It's time to reinvest in our infrastructure by redeveloping our rail systems. Living in San Francisco for twenty-five years I almost never needed my car. Now that i am living in Phoenix, I can't live without it. Phoenix is FINALLY building its first light rail line but it is for tourists and shoppers. We need to develop electric bus and train systems for moving people with cities, getting people from the suburbs into and out of the city centers and then between cities. Current rail travel in the US is a joke and takes a back seat to moving freight. Developing these transportation systems will not only save gas but also get people working–especially if there is a requirement that all components be manufactured in the US.

Thanks,
Thomas

Comment from jake3_14
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

I've asked my apt. mgt. to install double-pane windows and patio doors to reduce my horrendous electric bill (3rd floor, no insulation). So far, no answer.

I'm prodding my wife to do something to earn an income. I can't afford to support her alone any longer. If she doesn't, we're going to sell one of our two cars to cope with higher energy and food prices.

Comment from Hank Savioli
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

Please consider joining Moveon.org and supporting their efforts to promote clean renewable energy. We will be holding Clean Energy Rallys nationwide on August 19th. Join us at OperationDemocracy.org.

Comment from sue ball
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

We definately need to be using wind and solar energy for a multitude of our energy needs and able to use it at an affordable cost. Every home could have their own solar panels to run their home and maybe community windmills to harness more engery for their daily needs. Other green energy resources, like ocean wave power, need to be quickly developed so it is also available at an economical cost to to the masses. We need to get away from oil and gas.

Comment from Nick
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

I for one have cut my driving to work down to about 2 days a week because I now bike to work in Atlantic City, NJ from my home about 4 miles away. In addition, I would love to have some sort of subsidy to install solar on my home. The revenues to fund this could come from a rollback of the economic stimulus checks, and taxing the largest polluters. In my area, there are talks of building an offshore windfarm that would generate more electricity than our local coal fired power plant. With energy coming from wind and residential solar, we could begin a switch to plug in hybrids.

I for one, would hate to see oil platforms off the coast of my town, being that I live on the coast. I watched a pod of about 100 dolphins swim around my boat about two weeks ago, and said to my guests, "This is why we need to call our lawmakers, and tell them to reject offshore drilling." We need to think forward, not backwards.

Comment from Liz
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Switching to renewable electricity, solor power & using public transportation

Comment from Abe Velez
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

We of course need to find more ways of capturing and re-purposing sustainable energy, and here's one that I think should happen: the fitness industry in the U.S. is bigger than ever, but right now we're powering our treadmills by burning energy (mostly non-sustainable electricity from coal etc.) in order to then burn our bodies' own energy (calories). This doesn't make sense. How can we close the loop and use all this chocolate cake-fueled energy of ours to power our fitness equipment?

Comment from T.Hays
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Alternative energy has always been the answer,but as long as there are greedy people running our energy policy I doubt anything will change.Changes could have been made long ago.

Comment from John Davis
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

A taxi driver in New Hampshire stopped using his taxi and started using a rickshaw. He's licensed and has helmets for his passengers. They ride right past the gas stations during their low-cost rickshaw ride.
Seriously, our country must end our foreign wars (which it turns out were all about oil after all) and we should reduce our nuclear weapon stockpile to zero. This will put us in a position economically to completely retool both the power and automobile industries to use solar, wind, plug-in cars, hydro, hydrogen, but not bio-fuels (which compound our problems and increase the cost of food). The oil industries can be compensated for their retooling costs by the federal government which at this time will be able to balance the budget, eliminate the national debt, and finance the conversion of our country's transportation and power industries to renewable energy sources.

Comment from Tim Mattson
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Short term: More public transportation options. A lot of cities don't have public transportation, why not? If someone can't use public transpo then ride a bike and if that can't be done then carpool. We've had these solutions for a while now but American's have to stop being spoiled by their cars. It's not a status symbol, it's a vehicle.

Long term: Electric cars with a home-based power generating windmill or solar panels. There are also air-cars being introduced to the market that run on compressed air.

Comment from Benjamin Israel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

This would be quite unpopular. The federal government should declare that it will not allocate a penny to build a new highway. Highway money should only go to maintaining existing highways. This would prevent an increase in urban sprawl by putting people on notice that if they move to a distant subdivision, they will not have an easy commute. If there is any surplus in the highway trust fund, it should go to public transportation.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Personally, I think the cost of gas should be more on the order of what they pay in other countries like Australia, the countries of Europe, etc. There should be an enormous tax on gas, with the money designated to go for the repair/improvement of infrastructure. The bottom line should be conservation. Put an enormous tax on inefficient cars/trucks, with the ultimate aim to force them off the road. We should study the processes that work, such as what they have in Brazil, that turns sugar cane into gas, subsidize that rather than methanol from corn. And again, conserve, conserve, conserve. Recycle, stop putting garbage in giant landfills, make every congressman see Wall-E.

Comment from Jonas Diener
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Sure, here's my long-term idea. Maybe good, maybe bad.

Burn nitroglycerin in power plants. To me it seems like a cheap source of abundant energy. If it's mixed on-site you wouldn't have to store large dangerous quantities of it.

Use the explosion to propel a very large (multi-ton) piston up a track, either straight-up vertically, or up a hillside, using a large amount of air as a cushion to avoid shattering things due to the compound's extremely high burn rate. Then as gravity brings it back down, harness that energy.

Make of that what you will...

Comment from ANn
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

I've been driving 60 mph on the highway and have seen a dramatic improvement in my gas mileage, I'm getting 38-40 mpg in my Toyota Camry on the highway! Drive 60 when you go.

Comment from Denise from VA
August 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am

There are so many issues at hand. First of all, growing up in the 70's - there was knowledge of the problem then and why our government didn't carry on with Carter's starting of the process is beyond me - I suppose money talks. We need to use more wind power, less gas, smaller vehicles, solar - the list goes on and on.

It amazes me how much profit these oil companies have made off of the US Citizen. That is a disgrace to this country and should be forced to provide funds to come up with alternative plans for electricity, etc.

I personally worry about our environment, our economy, our jobs, our survival for my children and grandchildren more than myself. We all need to be concerned and act accordingly - not just thinking about today but for our children/grandchildrens future. It is not just about our generation. Things HAVE to change and our government needs to act NOW.

Comment from Bonita Sivi
August 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am

I am insulating my new house. There is next to no insulation in the attic. How could people have lived this way? I had my previous house build and had it highly insulated and with good windows. My bills were much lower than my neighbors.

I am taking old drapes and sewing them to the backs of my current drapes for extra insulation in winter. I have double pane windows and storm windows on those that are not double-panes.

Comment from Linda Schreiber
August 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am

US Oil Exports
Why is everyone talking about drilling for more offshore oil? Do they actually think it will help anyone except the big oil companies? The US has plenty of oil, otherwise why would the US have exported 55,972,000 barrels of petroleum in May? Actually, between 2000 and May 2008, the US exported 3,556,683,000 barrels of petroleum to over 120 countries? Look up the facts on the DOE website on the Energy Information Agency, EIA page. The supply is obviously there otherwise we would not be able to export so much oil.

Comment from Robin
August 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am

We are looking into the very expensive option of converting home heat to geothermal from gas — there need to be greater tax incentives in place for conversion to solar, wind, and other alternative power sources at both the residential and the commercial levels. Locally, our architectural review board within our town actively disallows solar panels in some neighborhoods, including ours — this is totally unacceptable. Local governments must be forced to recognize not only the benefits from but also the need for conversions to cleaner, not petroleum-based energy sources. And, of course, we all need to reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products such as excess plastic packaging.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

Oh, I forgot to say that I put my money where my mouth is. We've been driving a Prius for almost 2 years now. After about a year, the gas mileage improved significantly, and it now routinely gets 50+ mpg on trips. I drive the speed limit, by the way. We also recycle everything that's considered recyclable in our community. Unfortunately, that doesn't include several things (glass, plastics other than 1, 2, 3) I think should be recyclable.

Comment from Emily
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

1/ No more idling in cars! So many motors are left on unnecessarily - both private and corporate. I understand for Fresh Direct and other such fresh food services, not for people - or trucks - waiting for others in their cars.
2/ Congestion pricing in cities and better public transportation everywhere, not just in major cities.
3/ Sensor-based lights in all public work places. Too many office lights, and lights in private homes, stay on after hours when noone is there. What a waste.
4/ No throwing out clothes. I can't believe the number of perfectly good clothes I see in the trash. Donate, donate, donate - to help others in need and to save the environment. Organizations like Big Brother Big Sister will pick up at your door, you just have to schedule a pick up date with them.
5/ Keeping air conditioners everywhere had a mandatory minimum temperature of 74 degrees. Nothing below. Same in winter, other way around: no thermostat above 74 (I live in VT where it hits zero Fahrenheit, and we do just fine). It is perfectly comfortable, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
6/ Government rebates on environmentally-friendly purchases (as they have begun doing for hybrids).
7/ SMALLER CARS for all.

Comment from Lynda
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

Transportation is the largest culprit here and that is where we need to start, although we can also reduce our consumption and reuse.
As already stated, we need better mass transit. Road and bridge tolls and elimination of oil subsidies can be used to finance transit systems and at the same time reduce congestion. High speed rail and bike paths and lanes will provide commuters with less harmful choices that meet their needs.

Comment from Joe Wyman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

As the cities have been built to be "car friendly" we need to find a way to change the way the mode is powered. I like Mr. Pickette's idea of multi-fueled engines. From what we read, there is a large to push for plug in's so we can also generate re-charging power from multiple sources.

How do we get the dinosaur car companies to provide us with a viable retrofits of the existing car stock that would allow plug-in power sources (rather than forcing us to buy new, shiny inefficient models) ?

Comment from Donna
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

Covering even 1/5th of the Mojave Desert with solar panels could generate enough electricity for the entire country. Demanding that automakers produce electric vehicles that have the range and the speed of the EV1, even the Tesla Roadster for drivers who like it "fast and furious", would meet the needs of 90% of the drivers in the US.

Comment from Jerry
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

The federal government should nationalize the oil industry as several countries have done. There must also be more oversight of this industry. Petroleum from our 50 states is a natural resource that belongs to the people of this land and should not be leased away to corporations.

Comment from Joel Welty
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

My wife and I built an earth sheltered home and moved in two years ago. It is bermed on three sides, with high windows on the south. We use very little energy in this home but are cozy and comfortable. We burn NO fossil fuels and emit NO greenhouse gases. We have a patio but no lawn, and let beautiful wild carrot, goldenrod and other plants grow where they wish. Next we will put in a wind turbine to generate our own electricity, and we will sell the excess back to the grid. After that, we will buy a plug-in automobile, to be powered by the electricity we harvest from the wind. When the planet fries, don't blame us. We didn't do it.

Comment from Eric Triffin, MPH
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

I use wind and solar power every time I dry my clothes outside! I hike at least twice weekly with my dogs who are my personal trainers and motivators, for exercise and unconditional love, not holding a grudge, and much more!

Comment from john
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Not having solar in the SouthWest is just stupid. We should mandate solar on roofs or other green roof for new construction and give rebates/credits to offset cost for existing buildings to encourage them to be installed.

Why not make all postal service vehicles (which do a lot of stop and go driving) be hybrid or electric vehicles?

Two no brainers...

Comment from Jenny Wilder
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Oil and other fossil fuels will dwindle, become expensive and then there will be no more. This is becoming obvious.

We are looking at our options and since we live in the Mojave Desert, it seems that using micro solar and wind energy production would be very advantageous to individuals here. We do not need a larger grid system until we have used all the rooftops for solar/wind energy and/or gardens.

We are checking into electric cars because they can be recharged with solar/wind energy at our house or even on the car.
We have already put electric assist on one of our bikes because we are able to make longer trips in a shorter time frame and with a heavy load against the wind(avoiding even more trips with the car). Next step is to attach solar panels to recharge the batteries. We are lucky-almost all of our needs are within a 2-5 mile radius! Such a 'Village" concept linked with bicycle/walking trails would help the country tremendously. We would be healthier and happier.

I am reading everything I can about alternatives-and they are changing fast.
Long term: get out of houses & cars that use fossil fuels. One challenge is to find a way to pull our travel trailer and not use gas. Our bicycles have always provided a sense of freedom, and we feel that being off the grid and away from the gas station will provide an awesome sense of freedom! Everyone in the country should have the same options. Every house that is built now should have built in solar/wind energy with under the floor heating and hot water. Community swimming pools must use solar/wind energy or not exist. Community landscaping should provide food or be of native plants, instead of just using water.

Comment from Pavel Ivanov
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I want make solar power available in my home and I am looking to buy a house.
The problem is the architecture of the city is such that the houses are street oriented (facing the street) and not solar oriented (the main slope of the roof facing south).

I would prefer to have a lot of south windows and definitely not west windows. With the south windows the sun can warm the room during the winter but not during the summer - east and west windows work in the opposite way.

Comment from Dean
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Until we get to a new source of energy, the government should require us all to drive vehicles that get at least 20 mpg. They could test this when you register your car, just as they do for a smog check. You would have to have proof that you need a vehicle that gets less than 20 mpg for work that is deemed important enough to do so (medical care, etc.) otherwise you will pay a huge fine for operating a vehicle not authorized. Just this fairly small step will not upset our society's balance and will save millions of barrels of oil immediately.

Comment from Ron
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I think that one of the most important things today not only to save oil but the oceans and the general environment is to develop a totally different kind of packaging non-oil and non-paper that is totally biodegradable. Everything we do seems to involve some kind of packaging. If there were an alternative we would save probably nearly as much as if we switch power sources to non-oil.
And no more feaking plastics into the oceans.

Comment from Andrew
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

Expand public transportation.

Invest in a more efficient fleet of vehicles ( watch this: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/amory_lovins_on_winning_the_oil_endgame.html )

Comment from gerry steinberg
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

(1) Enforce mpg standards with US auto makers-they already have technology to roll out 50mpg+ cars and trucks
(2) Tax and grant/low-cost loans to spur production of fuel cell, electric vehicles that dont use fossil fuels
(3) Major investment in energy retro-fitting/insulation of commercial and older residential buildings-particularly in inner cities (where this would also create thousands of skilled jobs and trades training opportunities)
(4) Greatly increase government investment in wind, solar, hydro, other non-nuclear,non-petroleum/gas/coal energy generation alternatives; this should include mandatory requirement, in areas where feasible, that certain % of energy generation for homes and business come from alternatives
(5) Government buildings, on every level (state, local, Federal) be converted to "green" on energy use-Portland, OR is prime model for how this can be done.

Comment from marvin grantham
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

There are at least 2 ways to break water into hydrogen and oxygen. One is to pass a current of electricity through it.
The other is to use calcium carbide. Calcium carbide when exposed to water fresh or seawater produces accetylene.
Some welding shops use carbide generators to produce gas for cutting and welding. The technology is already there it needs to be developed.
It could be used for vehicles as well as homes and industry

Comment from Clay
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

I propose hemp as the solution to many of these problems. we could easily produce hemp oil from the seeds to use for fuel. We could make paper products and clothing from the stems and fibers, which would mean we wouldn't have to cut down tree so many trees. We could also use the hemp as ground cover to green large sections of desert to increase the carbon sump and scrub the air. It would also serve to end Reagan's War on Americans. Did I say Americans? I meant drugs, of course. The savings there alone could provide health care for every man, woman and child in America and might make our neighborhood police stations less akin to the gestapo-like paramilitary organizations they've become, and more like the Mayberry police stations we once knew.

Simple as that.

Comment from mwags3373
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

Keeping tires properly inflated, not accelerating quickly, switching to a manual lawnmower, getting all of my errands done in one day and not leaving the house unless it's neccesary(ie- no vacations or bringing the kids anywhere) can't afford it..

Comment from Jay Blue
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

How about Jack Newman's work toward genetically engineered yeast? And what about Glen Kertz and Valcent Products - vertically manufacturing bio-fuels from algae? - Check out http://cc.pubco.net/www.valcent.net/i/misc/Vertigro/index.html.

Comment from Matt Auerbach
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

HUGE tax breaks coming from oil, chemical, pharmaceutical companies and the US Department of Defense going to making several things much cheaper than they are today:

1) solar and wind power
2) cars like the Aptera (230 miles per gallon, built to Formula 1 safety standards, www.aptera.com)
3) local, organic food
4) public transportation

Comment from Dana
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

I'd like to see a public discussion/forum, maybe on TV, between Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, Mr. Krup, perhaps one of these folks: Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis Fthenakis from "A Solar Grand Plan", http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan, and others you at EDF might choose.

I'd like to see our presidential candidates in the audience of this discussion, but probably not as direct participants. I'd like to hear discussion of cap & trade vs. carbon tax, solutions to energy storage issues, etc.

Comment from LeAnn Wanex
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

We as T. Boone Pickens as said, "can't drill our way out of this mess." We need to focus on solar, wind and other renewable energies. But our government who is owned by big oil, timber, and pharmaceutical companies could care less about what the middle class and poor are going through. Make renewable energies affordable for us and conserve. We drive less, walk when possible, reuse, cut air to 78, buy less, not much else to do but sure would like some solar panels. But can't afford them just yet.

Comment from Daniel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

We need dedicated mass transit lines running along interstate corridors. We shouldn't need to acquire more land when we the government already owns these vast swaths of development. Even before the trains can be up and running, hopefully replacing lanes of traffic, we should have buses running the train routes in dedicated lanes where traffic will not interfere with the bus system's schedule. This will get people used to the route and schedule and bridge the formidable gap between ideal and implementation of a mass rail system. Furthermore we need to stop wasting precious bits of renewable energy; every house should have solar and/or wind power to help the grid now, and the government incentives to make it affordable. Our fossil fuel cars need to be giant electric generators, where all the unused kinetic energy from the day's travels can be plugged into the grid at home. Every destination in the country should have well-planned, maintained, and safe bike lanes, paths, or corridors that provide safe places for those who can to use bikes as primary modes of travel.

Comment from Darin De Stefano
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Combustion technologies and current nuclear technologies are death traps. We've known this for quite some time, and yet because of the greed and existing infrastructure of energy supply companies and automobile manufacturers we've been forced to support and develop these deadly options.

It is no longer 1950. We face a simple choice now: transformation or disaster. It's time to realize that neither of these options are acceptable or survivable. Additionally, our seeming desire to cover the entire earth which buildings and automobiles is suicidal. In 2008 we are going to begin to realize that cars and technology -are competing with organisms for terrain and resources- in a way not unlike an evolutionary competition.

It's time to recognize that we face a choice between an unlivable future, and a new way of existing together. Endless development is no longer an option.

Comment from George M. Kesselring
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

I already have an electric car. It's the GemCar from Chrystler Moters, and even though it is only "street legal"
I make 95 % of my driving local, so I figure that I am saving about $10,000 per year. Japan is already testing, and have one car on the road that runs on water, converting it to hydrogen. Alternate fuels will someday take us off gasoline completely...

Comment from gdolme
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

I have noticed that oil prices are coming down a bit in the past week or so. I even had a friend remark about how "gas prices are really down—they're under $4″ (they were actually $3.99...)

I believe that we are being manipulated by the Bush administration and their oil company buddies into thinking that the oil crisis isn't really so desperate...that all this talk of renewable energy, sun and wind is still to be relegated to the hysterical left-wing crunchy-granola-types who are over-reacting to the "natural effects" of supply and demand economics.

DON"T YOU BELIEVE IT!

I believe we are being led to erroneously conclude that things are not so bad using smoke and mirrors so as to very subtly provide support to John McCain, the "status-quo" oil candidate.

I believe that until the election is over, things will look as if they are once again under control and that once the new President is elected, the truth will be revealed—just in time for our winter heating season!—that we are in a horrible position: dependent on the oil provided by people who hate us because of our two-term President's policies of skirting the terms of the Geneva convention, as well as subverting our own Constitution.

I hope when deciding who to believe that the people remember that Al Gore didn't get the Nobel Prize for spouting hysterics. Global warming is a reality, as is the oil crisis. Lucky for us, both of these huge issues can be solved with the same creative measures. Our country must lead the way toward the use of renewable energy sources that will go a long way in the fight to stem the one-way trip we are on toward our own demise, as well as ending our dependence on the oil of people who would like to see our country destroyed.

Comment from kastigar
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

More and better accommodation for bicycles. Improve public transportation so that all forms of public transport also accommodate bicycles.

Bicycles + Public Transportation produces a synergy that will encourage the use of both.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Transportation: a public bus or subway system that covers everywhere people need to go is difficult if there needs to be a stop every 3 square miles or so (reasonable given that walking a mile takes about 20 minutes). We can do it in metropolitan areas, but that leaves most of the country uncovered. However, if instead of walking we can bike, the 20-minute range is suddenly more like 5 miles radius (75 sq. mi.) at a very relaxed pace.

Why don't people bike? Assume that buses and trains have bicycle facilities (they do where I live, but not everywhere is so enlightened). The explanations I've heard are, first, "I end up with wrinkled clothes", and then "it's dangerous." Can those be addressed? YES! Wrinkled clothes are trivial to avoid if employers provide showers (take your work clothes in a bicycle garment bag, shower and change when you get there). The danger is vastly overstated–bicycling is much safer than driving if you have put as much time into learning the skill as you have put into driving, but when you factor in the daily light exercise (massive reduction in heart disease, obesity, diabetes, many cancers, depression, tiredness, and a great big etc...), bicycling might even be our best shot at solving the health care crisis. So my transportation solution is: (1) reliable, fast public transportation with fairly infrequent stops, and (2) assisting (or forcing) employers to provide bike commuter facilities including showers and safe bicycle storage.

Comment from scott
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

1. all government buildings should have solar panels installed and excess energy sold back to the grid
2. renewable tax credits should contiunue beyond 12/31/08
3. continue to push real improvements in appliance efficiency
4. continue to require improvements in CAFE beyond those just enacted
5. establish a floor price for gas so if the price does drop, we get extra revenue to invest in renewables as opposed to simply encouraging demand for gas
6. invest in high speed rail in high traffic corridors (eg, Dallas/Houston/Austin/SanAntonio, eastern seaboard, LA/San Francisco, etc)
7. require green building standards for all new buildings
8. switch ethanol production to a nonfood source (switchgrass, etc rather than corn)
9. push the Pickens Plan to get wind rolling

Comment from laurag
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Some cities in the U.S. have switched to a 4 day work week, where you'd work 10 hours a day Monday through Thursday with Fridays off. If more cities did this, we'd reduce the amount of oil we are using GREATLY. Too many people commute to work 5 days a week!
We also have to improve public transportation in many cities.

Comment from Charles V. Powell
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

I think expanding the use of the 4-day workweek (4 days at 10 hours per day), more telecommuting, and maybe a 4-day school week also, would save a tremendous amount of fuel.
Also, staggering work hours so everyone does not start and end work at the same time would greatly reduce congestion and thus also save fuel otherwise wasted in stop-and-go traffic. These steps, plus more traffic-light synchronization, could be accomplished fairly quickly and relatively painlessly, so I advocate implementing them early on to reduce the immediate oil crunch while we work on longer-term solutions.

Comment from Luke Wyland
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

1) Get on the bus.....
2) Don't let the BIG 3 kill the next electric car....

Comment from Deborah
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Organize small communities, friends, neighbors, apartment building dwellers,to share transportation for grocery and other shopping and errand running. Companies should start sign-up boards/chat rooms for car pooling and give incentives for energy-saving activities. These small groups could investigate and implement together ways to save energy i.e. possible didcounts for energy-saving supplies bought in bulk that the group could then split up and use.

Comment from ray
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

drill for more oil in the usa .. stop depending on other countries for oil. also ask congress and president bush for gas rebate check.

Comment from Anne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Cellulosic ethanol. It is much more efficient to produce than grain-based ethanol, gives much greater returns on the energy invested, and does not use food crops. The crops used to make cellulosic ethanol can be grown without pesticides and herbicides, without synthetic fertilizers, on land that would not support food crops. Why are we not hearing about research into perfecting the enzyme that would make this possible on a commercial scale?

Comment from Bob Inda
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

1.) ban the incandescent light bulb
2.) monitor/prevent over-cooling/heating of commercial buildings
3.) go back to a 50 mph speed limit
4.) create a law that addresses the right to pollute the air. just because an individual can afford to own and decides to buy/operate a large SUV, power-boat, Motor home etc. Tax emissions on these non-essential luxury uses.
5.) push for an act of congress that sets the US on a course to match per-capita energy use in developed European nations.

Comment from chris
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Attitudes need to change and we need to make it attractive, cool, to be part of the solution. Too many people are selfish without thinking about it.

Cut consumption across the board - ot just energy, but also food. clothes, household items, frivolous items. Recycle, sell, give away stuff instead of renting an off-site storage barn. Buy used goods. Fix things. Plan your errands.

We have to accept the idea that the environment is more important than the economy - blasphemy in America. But we NEED to slow down the consumption-based economy, make choices, do without (more blasphemy), and find more natural ways to do things.

It's progressive to go back to simpler lifestyles!!!

Comment from Paul Adams
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

We need to get past the idea of 'burning stuff' for power. Until we get to the hydrogen economy (where 'burning' results in H2O), going all electric with clean wind and solar power is the route to go.

We can't solve the health care crisis while we poison our citizens with by-products of burning coal, gas, propane, natural gas and manufacturing mercury, PCBs, PVC, etc.

Green chemistry will help us get there. IF a spider can create a web that is ounce for ounce strong as structural steel, then we should attempt to do the same. The spider does this at Room Temperature without Toxic by-products.

In the meantime, plant a Victory Garden and source your food supply from local sources, preferably where you know the person supplying you directly. (CSA and farmer's markets)

Comment from mwags3373
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

If this country wasn't so corrupt we'd still have widespread use of electric cars. We should incorporate more solar and wind power, also utilizing rainwater collection, in turn lessening our dependence on oil until it's fazed out completely. Local recycling should be mandatory and plastic containers should be fazed out, using more glass. Local farmers should be given state funds to expand agriculture in the community

Comment from Juliette
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Lawmakers who are not mandating that we immediately change our way of life for a better environment should be held accountable for their lack of action– this is a situation that is essentially killing us all, literally. Why are we tolerating lazy and inefficient lawmakers? Why are we allowing them to continue to allow big companies and corporation to continue their toxic practices?

The government ought to be mandating stricter environmental protection and alternative energy laws. Require alternative energy cars to hit the market not in 10 or 20 years, but in 2 or 3. It's possible and we know it. These technologies exist, they must be made available and even required.

I recently saw a case for the new iphone that is solar powered and charges the phone for you. Gadgets like this would also be a great way to allow consumers to have access to renewable and basically free (once you buy the gadget) energy for small items that tend to get left on, plugged in and forgotten. These items tend to add up to quite a bit of energy waste.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

The increasing rate of renters vs. homeowners presents another interesting conundrum: few landlords will upgrade the energy efficiency of their rental properties, preferring to force the energy costs onto their tenants. Of course, energy efficiency of a house depends both on equipment and on usage patterns, so I propose a federal law mandating that landlords and tenants must split utility bills 50-50. Um, except that it's unconstitutional. But nobody really reads that thing anymore anyway, and this law would surely do some good.

Comment from Michael D. McGuire
August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Before we go running off in all directions to find a "fix" for all our problems think about what are really problems and what are inconveniences. We all need to drive less, use less electricity, conserve water, and generally consume less of everything we use once and throw away. We are trying hard to do just that, and the bit of extra effort it may take to accomplish these things is more than offset by the rewards that stem from the effort. We have become a country where convenience is everything, at any cost. As someone once said: "Simplify, simplify, simplify."

Comment from herb oringel (Somers, NY)
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Above all we need political will and LEADERSHIP.Intelligent leadership would hopefully build an affordable acceptable strategy comprised of Conservation techniques and sacrifice,significant investment in infrastructure inter and infra-city,maximum use of solar/wind and bio-fuels and optimization of existing USA resources :natural gas, EXISTING leases for oil production and modest growth of well placed nuclear facilities.

Comment from greg davis
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

We need to take all the tax credits to oil and coal companies and put that money towards on demand hydrogen from water internal combustion engines and conversion kits for existing engines. There is already one patent for on demand hydrogen from water and another patent pending from a Canandian company. Our government should work out a royalty agreement with the patent owners, license out the technology all over the place, put heavy tax credit incentives to build new factories for manufactoring these enginges and kits in towns that currently employ coal workers with a re-training program for the soon to be out of work coal miners. Do the same with wind turbines and solar panels. We could be 90% off of coal and oil in 5 years. The price of oil would drop in less than 2 years.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

A couple more comments: We're on a kick now to avoid receiving plastic bags when we shop by using cloth bags. The checkers often seem to hate this, but we persist. Put a tax on the use of plastic bags so that people will stop accepting them. Also, burn garbage to produce energy, like they do in some more enlightened countries. We could learn a lot by studying things that work in other parts of the world and by not electing "ignorant and proud of it" presidents.

Comment from Darren
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

We need to invest in railways not highways. Trains transport freight more efficiently.
Tax incentives for corporations that allow telecommuting for employees

Comment from lacey white
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

we need to find something that works as well as oil but doesn't ruin the environment

Comment from Renee de Vicq
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

1-Give us back our night sky by addressing light pollution. This will save a massive amount of energy and have the added benefit of making people's minds less crazy.
2-Make as much of the coast of the USA as possible into a national park, this would conserve fish stocks and also reduce pollution- future generations would be able to enjoy our beautiful shores.
3-Better urban planning would make it easier for people to shop close to home. Community health centers would be more accessible and affordable.
Produce from neighboring farms would reduce the amount of energy wasted in trucking produce over long distances.
4-Free up our rivers, dams have been proven not to be the best ways to treat our rivers, neither has concreting river beds so that valuable water goes straight out to sea. Let our rivers be beautiful parks for future generations to enjoy.
5 Introduce gardening into the school curriculum. Kids who grow up in urban areas are disconnected from nature.
6 Prevent off road vehicles(big gas guzzlers) from destroying pristine wilderness areas.
7-Finally create a prestigious award to be given annually by the President to the state that makes the best efforts to improve their environment- a kind of a Green Award. By introducing a competitive element you would get everyone on board.

Comment from Ryan
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

I am 23 years old, I just graduated from college, and I am working two jobs while living in my parents house. I have a half hour commute at the moment and I am in the process of changing everything. I am moving into the city, which will bring me within 6 miles of my morning job and 3 miles of my evening job. I plan on buying a nice road bike and will be using that for commutes for now. I live in Syracuse, NY and we have to deal with the cold and the snow, I'm thinking possibly a tricycle to deal with the slippery snow and ice and maybe even going with a velomobile, or an enclosed tricycle, to deal with the cold and rain. Either way though, my car will go from my main form of transportation to a back up, where it will only be used for extended trips, emergencies, and the worst of weather days. I might even try to get an electically assisted velomobile! As for my other energy costs, my new apartment is the second story of a recently renovated row house, it's beautiful, it's efficient, and it's totally perfect! Cheers!

Comment from Janet
August 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

In the 70s and 80s, teachers and mothers taught children to conserve and about the dangers of smoking until it became socially unacceptable to smoke and waste paper. That needs to happen for us to cut all consumption.

But unfortunately, none of this will move the well-to-do to change their consumption habits so we will have to take up the slack for them.

Comment from Steve Parscale
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

Tips for fuel conserving driving habits are readily available. They aren't difficult - they're just different. By moderating my driving habits, I've gained 4+ mpg with very little effort. (speed limit or lower; never exceed 60mph; windows in town, A/C highway to reduce drag; minimize idling; keep tachometer at 1500 - 2000 when possible; smile at everyone passing you)
We also need to remember that we haven't evolved beyond the point of being ambulatory. Walking, biking, consolidating trips - none are difficult ... only different. Whatever we think we are sacrificing will be insignificant. We are not sacrificing luxuries - we are growing.
Common sense and a desire to learn will go a very long way.

Comment from Chris
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

We are dealing with a finite resource, so thinking of the future, we'll have to change our lifestyle completely. Living within walking distance of work, no more airline trips, goods will have to be made locally, as well as food will have to be grown locally and put up for the winter.
Wasteful practices will have to stop, which includes things like NASCAR, monster trucks, etc,
mowing lawns and being a throw-away society. In other words, we'll be turning the clock back in time little by little, and it's already begun.

Think of it, oil is necessary for making windmills, solar panels, heating homes, farming, tractors, airplanes, cars, trucks, any construction, medical industry, on and on. It's got to be preserved responsibly, but it only seems to be preserved when the prices skyrocket. People can't even bring their own shopping bags to the grocery store, and you think we're going to stop using oil? And the more oil we use, the larger our carbon footprint becomes.

We're in a time of great change, and hopefully, we'll work together and make it through.

Comment from Clara Roberts
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

When I was growing up on the farm we had a horse and sled.
The horse power exhaust waste was recycled on the land where crops were grown. Most of the time, shoe leather or barefoot is how we got around. Eventually we got a bicycle for everyone (ten) to share.

My Dad took a 55 gal barrel and put it on the roof of the wash house we eventually built. He attached a piece of rubber hose and a large juice can (about half-gallon) that he used hammer and nail to poke holes in it. That was my first experience with solar heated water, and a shower. We did not have electric or inside plumbing.

When I lived in Tampa, I had solar panels on my house that worked wonders. A weather strip was installed underneath it to keep the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

So wind and solar energy, hydrogen, and other renewal energy sources are available. When our government can build 5000 lb bombs to kill people and destroy Nature, then it can build numerous ways to use natural resources that will not destroy our planet.

'Nuff said.

Comment from Larry Anderson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

I believe that not one individual thing will work yet a combination of all alternatives will be necessary–the absolute truth is for every American or individual that they will have to be unspoiled and unselfish in their manners and methods or nothing will work and will always be shifted off in responsibility to the government–I doubt if the American population as a whole can do this-drive 1 mile below whatever speed is the location limit–and use synthetic oils–develop super cleansing oil filters for synthetic oils-if all did this-a surplus in 1 month would happen and the prices go down–very few will be unselfish enough or patient enough to do this–I DO IT AND GO TO THE PUMP FAR LESS FREQUENTLY THEREFORE LESS EXPENSE AND NOT SPEEDING I HAVE LESS WORRY ABOUT TICKETS AND AM SAFER AS FAR AS THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK AND A BETTER ABILITY TO AVOID A MISHAP-MY INSURANCE COVERAGE HAS DECREASED AND I ENJOY MY TIME IN A CAR-THE GREATEST INVENTION FOR THE COMMON MAN IN HISTORY–FOR WORK-PLAY-FAMILY FUN-VACATIONS-SUCH AN ABUSED FREEDOM THE CAR IS–WE WOULD HAVE ROADS WITH LESS DAMAGE ALSO–I DO IT AND CHALLENGE ALL OTHERS TO THINK OF US ALL AND THE CHILDREN TO COME-SET AN EXAMPLE AND RECYCLE THE AUTO FREEDOM WE HAVE HAD WITH BUILT IN GOOD HABITS-THANK YOU FOR READING

Comment from Laurette Bienvenu
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

For immediate impact and behavioral change - close off a lane on highways to anything classified as a non-dangerous and environmentally friendly vehicle - such as bicycles, small electric scooters and Segways. That gives the person on the small vehicle a safe option to commute where they have the added benefit of NOT waiting in traffic. It will get more cars off of the road immediately with little or no cost.

Comment from Jan Boden
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Besides reducing use drastically (do you really need to go there?),expand clean public transportation systems and ride-sharing options. Right now I take my car to work because it would take me 90 minutes to get to work instead of 30 minutes by car. We also need to be growing a wider variety of food locally: urban farms — suburban farms? Local stores versus malls — places we can easily get to on foot, by bike or public transportation. And alternative heating and cooling technologies for parts of the country dependent on fuel oil for heating homes and offices.
It's a change in mindset and culture as well as practice.

Comment from greengiant
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

One of the simplest things we can do is refuse to use the plastic bags that are clogging our environment. Canvas bags are abundant and save lots of plastic since they can be used over and over again. Also check out ChicoBag.com. Their little pocket size bag fits in purse, pocket or belt loop and opens to full size.

Comment from Nancy Henderson-James
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Rebuild our train system with high speed rail. Beef up public transportation in cities and towns with light rain, small buses, large buses, shuttles, etc. Convert intersections to roundabouts (traffic circles) to keep cars moving... no standing at lights burning gas. Require manufacturers to take back their products for recycling once the cars, appliances, etc. reach the end of their life. Extend tax credits for alternative energy to make solar water heaters, solar heat, wind, geothermal, etc affordable. Walk and bike as much as possible. Live close to your job. Buy less. Buy local.

Comment from John Cobb
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Shorten supply lines. That means, live near work. Produce locally, especially food. Abandon economic globalization and work for local economies. Shift thinking from how to "grow" to how to achieve sustainable economies that meet the basic needs of all. End urban sprawl and build Paolo Soleri's arcologies.

Comment from Christopher F. Vota
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Redraw the lines in parking lots and design new ones for single-line parking ONLY. No more backing in nor out of spaces. Just turn into the open space and turn out when you leave. It negates the whole issue of saving more gas by backing in on a warm engine as opposed to backing out on a cooler one. No more parking on the edge of the lot and incurring the occassional damage, no more backing into oncoming traffic nor pedestrians - all of these also increase the collective carbon footprint. We may have to walk a little more, but that's a good thing for most of US.

Comment from Jeremy
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Streets need to be more bike friendly. We need better, more integrated mass transit.

But for a quick fix, suck it up and walk or bike to work! What's mostly needed, where the real conflict is at, is the change of attitude, and the way we perceive the ergonomics of transit.

Comment from Jamie Crouse Gwynn
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

We have the technology to produce energy from wind, solar and geothermal. The car companies have the technology to produce plug-in hybrids and hydrogen cars; we just don't have the infrastructure to support it. What we really lack is political will. Why don't we cast this needed change away from carbon-based energy as a source of national pride? It should be a national goal like the space race was. We should ask the American people to sacrifice for something greater than war.

Comment from Nance Nicholls
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

we need to develop public transportation systems that are energy efficient and reliable. Whatever happened to our cross country rail system. So many European countries are way ahead of us. I think we need to produce more efficient power and heat by utilizing solar and wind power. Instead of homes heated with solar power being an expensive option lets look at how do this for more homes, not just the exclusive ones that are examples.

Comment from marychristenson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

It will be helpful if we support local organic agriculture as much as possible. This will reduce inputs that require fossil fuels and will reduce transportation costs. Also it will rebuild smaller local economies so that people in rural areas do not have to commute to their off-farm jobs.

In Woodbury county, Iowa, they have made great strides to turn their failing economy around by following this goal; now schools and government agencies there are promoting the use of local food. This type of regional approach also builds community and when it comes to conservation that will be important.

Comment from naomijulia
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

We need to have major, serious subsidies for getting solar power to homes in this country. We have many areas of the country with a LOT of sunshine. We need to use that. People are willing, but the initial costs are too far out of reach for most people.

Comment from gideonstorm
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

My ideas are expensive somewhat but simple
- Make homes and businesses part of the electricity grid where it make sense by making it mandatory and cost effective for them to use solar panels or wind or both
- Enable more choice in fuel from non food resources (grass, human waste, garbage, etc) and have engines that use it no matter what form.
- Charge users of more inefficient vehicles higher taxes and move to taxes based on consumption. this will lower the consumption rate on many items that we are addicted to.
- Stop mega corps from influencing the residual hyper consumption rates that USA has. We are 4% of world population yet we consume 24% of the resources. That is strange and sinful.
- More laws on efficiency and move taxes on the use of things that are not since people dont listen until things get out of hand. The American way

Comment from Ron Russell
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Begin by treating the oil situation for what it is, a grave threat to the health and wealth of our nation. Begin by enlisting the support of every American. This would include making some sacrifices, as we have had to do in every war–and that what this truly is, a war. Reduce the speed limits, teach people to drive in fuel-saving ways, increase public transportation, increase research and development of alternative sources of energy, demand that car makers design more fuel-efficient autos, force the oil companies to cut their obscene profits, pass a wind-fall tax on these companies and pass the money on to the lowest-income taxpayers, give tax breaks to people who drastically reduce their fuel use, demand that corporations stop producing wasteful and needless packaging (little cardstock boxes for every bar of soap!)that consume energy without reason, and then take about 100 other common sense approaches that our do-nothing congress and corrupt, moronic administration has ignored for the past eight years. The solutions are not as impossible as the stinking media and leaders will have you believe. What brought us to this situation is simply that our nation has fallen victim to a bad case of national retardation.

Comment from Roger Johnson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

A major effort is needed by governments to fund incentives for solar and wind - big and little. Stop construction of new coal fired and nuclear power plants. Phase existing such plants out, over time, as more wind and solar come on line. Use limited natural gas sources in transition period as needed. Also, for vehicles encourage plug in hybrids, and shift to natural gas, and eventually hydrogen (as infrastructure is developed)by tax credits,etc. A strong effort along this line could stimulate the ecconomy, too. (I've just read David Freeman's "Winning Our Energy Independence" and I'm sold. Way out - maybe, but Freeman has great credibity.)

Comment from gecko
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Small hybrid human-electric vehicles less that 100 pounds ruggedized for collisions and mishaps in developed world urban environments will go a long way toward providing much more comfortable and resilient, low-cost, safe, highly efficient transport and transit using very little energy and emitting very low amounts of CO2.

Comment from Linda Burlak
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

1) Reduce and reuse even before recycling. Reduce energy use, waste, etc.
2) Push auto companies for more efficient, higher mileage vehicles - in the 40 mpg range, not the 26 mpg range.
3) Continue to develop both local and national renewable energy facilities. Make solar affordable for individuals, and keep building wind and solar plants.
4) Take up Al Gore's energy challenge for the next decade.
5) Fund research for renewable fuels that do not compete with the food supply, particularly for poorer nations.

Comment from John Mann
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

There are so many ideas already in the blogosphere (I have been following "theoildrum.com" and "energybulletin.net" for about 4 years now) it is hard to come up with new ones. I really do like ANn's comment about driving slower.

Suggestion: require each car manufacturer to post efficient rpm's for all cars from 1995 on, on level ground, 5% uphill, and 5% downhill. Convert this to mph for the top 2 gears. ASAP, put real-time mpg data into the instrument panel (I assume it is not hard for fuel injected cars) like the Prius does.

Have an energy committee for your municipality. Start a citizen's committee if the Town or City won't have an official one. Town planning must (MUST) help reduce driving by planning shopping areas within walking distance of all homes, or vice versa i.e. allowing homes to be built only near "village centers". Infill building is suggested by Building Sciences principal in a recent Fine Homebuilding magazine. Learn how to properly weatherize a house (See "stack effect" in Wikipedia; read Taunton Publishing's Weatherize and Insulate or, perhaps better, something written by the principal at Building Performance Institute (bpi.org).) Make sure your region preserves farmland and if at all possible go for low pesticides. Even grass-fed beef is better, old fashioned grazing supposedly actually sequesters carbon in the soil (worldchanging.com/archives/008338.html). We're going to have to go for local food, so don't let your region ruin all your local farmland with pesticides. (Throw away your pesticides and learn to love spiders and ants and bees). All that stands between us and death is our skill at taking care of our very ill planet. (Just my OPINION, of course.)

Comment from windmill3
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Lower speed limits - I have found that by driving 55-60 I can get almost 40 miles more per tank of gas. More bike lanes - if it were safer to ride on the streets I believe more people would be inclined to use their bikes for short trips. Strictly enforce Smart Growth - we need to stop building homes in outlying areas, the closer to the cities the better. Strongly discourage purchase of SUV's of any type, we need more fuel efficient cars. And, increase the gas tax to provide money for public transportation.

Comment from Marisa
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Original completion date for CA monorail: 2016. What is it now, since we haven't started? Let's push for this solution.

Europe charges manufacturers for excess packaging. They have cut back. We should hold manufacturers responsible for creating excess waste, the true cost of creating an item.

Seattle now charges consumers for plastic bags, and has banned styrofoam for takeout. They have set a precedent, let's create the momentum in our cities!

The American consumer is swathed in petroleum, increased asthma in our population yet another cost. We are suffocating on petroleum, and taking the planet down, species by species, with us. So we must take responsibility in every sector!

Comment from dwg2008
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

1. Conserve - We bought a Prius, take public transportation to work, and drive 55.

2. Make green tech affordable by requiring solar panels on all new construction.

3. Support alternatives to fossil fuels (excluding corn ethanol which is inefficient).

4. Eliminate tax breaks and incentives for fossil fuel production.

5. Harness rather than burn off methane from landfills.

Comment from Lois Karasek
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

If our Congress was not so full of greedy SOB's concerned solely for their own and their "friends'" welfare, we would already have been investing in alternative fuels, solar and wind energy to a far greater degree than at present. When "We the People" force Congress to become "one of us" again, paying out of their own pockets for life's necessities, perhaps they would take a little more interest in doing what "We" are paying them to do....act in "Our" best interests, not theirs.

Too, it's really not such a joke to suggest that we begin charging a price equal to a barrel of oil for our grains that are sold to the same nations from which we buy oil. The saying "Let them eat sand" is not meant to be cruel to the people of the oil-rich countries, but fair is fair.

Comment from Bridget
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

For now, my husband and I ride bicylces to work daily, and lump our errands into one trip. But we, as a nation, need to be focusing on developing the fuel cell, solar energy, and SAFE public transportation. I live in a large CA city and the public trans. is riddled with crime–who wants to be subjected to that? I also agree that we need to re-think our consumerist mentality and begin purchasing renewable products (i.e. shoes and clothing mede of recycled materials). I'm not sure we can get away from our capitalist desires, so let's market green living–make that the new bling thing. We'll still have to deal with ourselves as massive consumers rather than deep thinkers, but that's another tale.

Comment from Helen King
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

I am tired of the media putting the blame for exceeding the ozone standard in our city on the citizens who drive a car or mow the grass. Right in the middle of downtown are two petroleum refineries, an sulfuric acid plant, a chemical manufacturer, and several other industries which contribute to the bad air. In my city, the industries should be made to cut production during ozone days and the city should improve their mass transit. It really stinks.

Comment from Scott Wilson Sr.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Not sure if it will work or not, but, a few years back, we lived in Maryland and the small city we lived in had a central used oil dump area. Unfortunately they do not still have it now, primarily due to a cost refinement factor, but, that was before this oil cost issue now hitting everybody and gas as a result.
Anyway, establish central oil collection areas in all of the cities, big and small, and then ship the used oil to a refining area where it can be cleaned and re-used like this small city in Maryland was doing before it got so cost un-effective. I know the oil could then be utilized in vehicles again, but, what I do not know is whether this re-cycled oil could be made into gasoline as they do with the current oil that is purchased. If it can, what a savings and also what a reduction in foreign oil usage.
The only thing I don't know is if gasoline can be made out of this used oil, I do know that it can be replaced into oil containers for usage in motor vehicles again internally.

Comment from Alfred Muma
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Carbon Tax on gas won't work, all these taxes will do is take money from everyday people, raise the pricee of gas, and line the pockets of the government as the money won't actually be used to fight global warming. What really needs to be done is government pass laws that force car companies to imediately end production on large personal gas powered vehicles and replace them with electric and other alternate modes of power such as gas and electric hybrids, hydrogen etc. That includes removing protection laws for the big car companies against small independent companies to produce alternate modes of transport.

The Canadian government is far behind in taking action as it is still only talking retoric.

The other action all governments must take to curb greenhouse gas is to ban all armed conflict and so that the millions upon millions of gallons of fuel for military planes and ships is reduced drastically and is only used for humanitarian purposes such as seach and rescue etc. Besides a country's economy shouldn't be based upon arms and war rather peace and humanitarian endevours. The American public have to tell their president and leaders that they no longer wish to be a nation that relys upon war for their economy, to stop medling in other countrys affairs under the false pretence of concern for freedom and democracy and get on with the real job of saving our only home before it's too late.

The results would be a hug change in the US economy and life style for the better which would have world wide reprocusions for the better.

All the other wealthy countries have to do the same.

Comment from elizabeth
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

I am willing to drive ANY car that will hold me, my husband, my daughter, my dog, a stroller, and 3 bags of groceries. It can be solar powered, wind powered, electric, or partially powered by bicycle pedals. I don't care. I will buy it and I will drive it if someone will offer it to me.

Comment from Dori
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

The comments already posted are positive, good solutions. Let me suggest that public transportation should not only be expanded to areas where it does not currently exist (the closest to me is a light rail system 3 miles away, for example– I'm a little north of Baltimore), and it should be very heavily subsidized: FREE, in fact.

When my older daughter worked in town, she was able to take the light rail system. It was faster than sitting in her car on the expressway, saved her a lot of gas, and of course parking fees. She begins a new job this week with the state, which gives her free access to the light rail as part of her state benefits. This benefit not only saves her approximately $700-800 a year, since the fare cost is $3.20 per day, but saves more pollution being pumped into our air.

My younger daughter is mentally challenged. She will be starting a program in another area of our county in 2 weeks. It will take us nearly 1/2 hour to drive, assuming no traffic jams (which are very probable in that area). To get her there by public transportation would take a full 3 hours.

More, better, and cheaper public transportation!!!

Comment from marilyn
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

To use less energy, we should be able to hang our laundry out on clotheslines. But many HOAs across the country have restrictions against their use. Pressure should be placed on HOAs and state legislatures to rescind this regulation. It is just common sense to dry laundry using solar energy and not use the electric or gas dryer.

Comment from Paul Burke
August 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Take all the subsidies (our tax dollars) going to big oil and big coal and plow them into solar thermal. Dismantle our excessive and ridiculously excessive nuclear war head stock pile and plow that money (our tax dollars) into alternative vehicles (the air car, hybrids, electric cars)- raise the gas mileage standard to 40 mpg across the board (no loopholes).

Comment from Lorin Thwaits
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

A year and a half ago I upgraded a cheap Razor scooter to run off lithium batteries, and over the past year I've put about 2000 miles on it. I use it daily, both for little neighborhood trips and to ride over to a coworker's house where we carpool. It's easily paid for itself several times over. Plus it's fun to ride! Here's more info:

http://makerfaire.com/pub/e/775

Comment from phiqueen6
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

I believe businesses can cut down on energy substantially. I have been driving to work every day (sometimes, very long distances) only to work on a computer that I could have worked on at home. Telecommuting is a great way to save energy. If businesses got a credit of some sort and allowed workers to stay home and telecom, this would help the energy situation plus traffic substantially. I would also like to see communities promote activities on a local level for all the necessities of life. Lets get back to the basics.

Comment from Nick
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

It has become pretty clear that we need to make radical changes in the way we live.
We need to invest dramatically in wind and solar energy, re-design our power grid, and we need an aggressive, all-out effort to build hydrogen fueling stations throughout the United States. How silly is it that we have existing hydrogen vehicle technology (produces 0 emissions, only water vapors) that is not viable at this stage because there aren't enough fueling stations?
We also need an all-out effort to improve solar-cell and battery powered vehicles. To some people it may sound silly but think about this: if some low financed, average individuals can put together battery powered vehicles with a range of 80-150 miles, can big industry, which has tons of capital really not figure out a technology that will double or triple the range?
We also need to change the way we live... First, we need to use less plastic in favor of material that are not manufactured with gasoline — it takes an estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bottles we use for water consumption in the US alone each year!! Second, we need to pay more attention at the houses we build by taking the control of the building process away from developers and back to architects. There was a time when we knew how to build energy-efficient homes... somewhere along the way, we've lost that knowledge and have started building homes that have no soul and that are very inefficient. Third, we need to be better at recycling water... from better collection and use of rain water, to using grey water for watering plants. Finally, we need to start massive construction of de-salination plants along our coasts. They'd be a lot more beneficial in the long run than drilling for offshore oil. We should use that water exclusively for a massive campaign of reforestation to fight and hopefully reverse the effects of global warming. I am often told that this is not realistic because of the costs involved... my question is this: what would be the cost of having Florida, Louisiana, parts of California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, and several more states underwater? Is that costly enough?

Comment from C. M. Barons
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

#1: The current emergency was predicted with uncanny accuracy by Pres. Jimmy Carter, thirty years ago. If we had listened, there would be no urgency. #2: We need to rethink the myth of mobility independence that wastes our resources: embrace mass transit, car pool, restrict unnecessary travel... #3: We need to endorse a national renewable energy plan to eliminate the influence of corporate cabals that have subverted green initiatives and profited from the depletion of carbon-based fuel. #4: We need to halt the resurgence of the Nuke-mongers. Reactors are not cost-effective and uranium production, security and disposal issues are not worth the effort. #5: We need to motivate communities to invest in community-wide geothermal and wind power to solve community energy needs.

Comment from deuggims
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

The only way to go is to increase funding for solar and wind power projects, produce automobiles that are far more fuel efficient or are alternate powered, conserve energy (and everything else too)as much as possible,improve and increase public transportation, get the Republicans out of office and Big Oil out of the politician's pockets,stop buying everything that is disposible or one use only, and start living like we want our environment to be pristine and last another 50,000 years for all our progeny.

Comment from Mark Farmer
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Do away with toll roads and instead pay for the repair of bridges and highways with increased gasoline taxes!!

This past Saturday I and thousands of other motorists on the Mass. Turnpike spent nearly one hour to go less than ten miles just to get through the limiting toll booth at exit 9. There was no accident, just a back up from the toll plaza. There must be millions of gallons of fuel wasted at toll booths and millions of man hours lost at these uneeded bottle necks.

Comment from J. Barry Gurdin
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Project Better Place is promoting a lithium-ion battery-powered car to be built by Rennault-Nissan, and already the countries of Israel, Denmark, the City of San Francisco, and possibly the State of Hawaii will be converting their gasoline-powered autofleets to this battery-powered vehicle. There will be a national-network of stations in which the batteries can be traded and recycled, much like a cell-phone payment plan. In a somewhat different modality, MDR, a French company, is marketing a vehicle that runs on compressed air. One can recharge the vehicle using any power source, for which I would prefer solar and wind solutions. We need a national plan that will encourage a rapid as possible conversion to electric cars and other vehicles, for which a national network of battery-refueling and recharging stations can be built. Likewise, we need to encourage use of public transportation and modern trains such as magnetic levitation trains. Moreover, in the short term, wider use of biofuels, such as switch grass ethanol, can be encouraged.

Comment from Rob Ford
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Burning oil for heating energy is a widespread practice in many areas of the country where natural gas is not readily available. It's almost hard to believe that we still do this. Fortunately I think this is could be very easily remedied with focused attention.

There is a very viable and efficient alternative in geothermal heat pumps. They offer several advantages:
- eliminates the dependency on foreign oil
- vastly more efficient: they use the ground loop to shed/store heat in summer, and draw on it in winter. As such, these drastically reduce greenhouse emissions
- being driven by electricity, can even be powered by wind and solar

I think there are two main barriers to entry for homeowners getting decimated by heating and cooling costs
1) relative obscurity of the tech. nobody knows about it
2) high capital cost

It can cost $20K to put in a system. While the payback time is not outrageous, few can afford the up front costs of the system and will suffer through high oil prices.

What I think is needed are focused programs to publicize and encourage this technology through public information campaigns and low-cost loans. I think the major drive should be to make it easy for people to finance these systems and let the resulting demand drive down prices instead of focusing on cutting subsidies like many states do for solar.

Anyway, my $0.02.

Comment from Mike Frisch
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

I have dropped my fuel use by 70-80%

1) I bicycle two days per week (25 mile round trip) - great exercise & fun.

2) I purchased an electric bike/scooter (Ego cycle 2 LX, cost $1700) and I use it two days per week - costs 10 cents to charge it - great fun.

3) On the days I have to use my car, I carpool, and I drive 60 mph or less to save fuel.

Comment from David, Louisville KY
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

As a few others have already mentioned, we can grow our way to energy independence. Hemp is the one plant that is prolific enough to meet our fossil fuel needs. Hemp can be made into charcoal to replace coal. Hemp can be made into ethanol, methanol, gas, gasoline and biodiesel.

GM already has the means to build a battery-powered car. Equipped with a super capacitor and a turbine engine, it can charge the batteries in 5 seconds. Turbines can burn just about any fuel and get about 100 mpg.

The problem? Congress has hemp listed as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act. That's Congress' way of saying that hemp has no beneficial uses.

Congress doesn't want to address recreational hemp, aka "marijuana." Yet we regulate, control and tax far more dangerous substances — alcohol and tobacco. No one has ever died from using recreational hemp.

Comment from bwyg1x
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Carbon tax. Collect it at the well-head, mine entrance, or port of entry.

This will raise the price of lots of stuff, from gasoline to plastic supermarket bags. And raising the price will cause people to cut back on their usage. Manufacturers will cut back on plastic packaging, which will save weight, which will save transport fuel... it will snowball.

Use the money raised to build a network of seriously fast trains. For both people and mostly for freight. There is only one more efficient way to move freight and that's by boat, and then only if it's a pretty direct route. Otherwise trains win hands down.

Use some of the money to fund research into alternatives, from photovoltaics to nuclear fusion (not fission). Like it or not, it's about energy density. There's not enough arable land on the planet to supply our food and energy needs. Even if we deforest the whole planet there's not enough. Do the math.

Use some of the money to promote a vegetarianism. Every pound of meat takes about 2.2 pounds of oil to produce.

Use some of the money to develop plans, with the UN (has to be worldwide, but the USA should follow China's lead), for human population control. This mess (resource wars, global warming, massive pollution, etc.) is all due to overpopulation. We all know this, but no one will talk about it. What we have to do is reduce our population to a sustainable level. You can argue what the level is, but it is certainly considerably less than the current total. Half or less most likely.

There's more, but there's no point in listing anything. The US government isn't going to do any of it. Neither will the rest of the world until they paint themselves into a corner like China did with population. I hope India does something before it turns into an amazing disaster, but I'm not hopeful.

We know what needs to be done. Yet all we talk about is changing light bulbs and working from home one day a week. It's not enough. Not nearly enough. We know this. But we won't act on the knowledge. Why???

Comment from Kay Thomas
August 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Somehow we have got to educate the American people about how important it is for us to get off our oil addiction and how just drilling "more" in places like Anwar and offshore will not solve our problem. I am amazed every day by how oblivious the American people are to this problem.

Comment from John
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Change the classification requirements for NEV's (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) so that they can go 40 – 45 mph rather than be limited to the current 25 mph. This would make these small, efficient, low-cost vehicles much more flexible for around-town errands and short commutes. It would also encourage the installation of solar energy systems to charge them and reduce noise pollution.

Comment from Richard Madole
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First and formost quit whining about the cost. To overcome an obstical you need a positive attitude. The Europeans have been paying more than twice what we pay and they have made it work. Secondly, at any given moment there are more than 10 thousand Semi's sitting with their engines idleing. It is a waste and totally unnecessary. And this also applies to each of us with our smaller vehicles. Don't leave the engine idleing for more than a few seconds. Develope good reliable public transportation, including a nation-wide train service. Have the government take over the rail system just as they have done with the federal highways. They could then provide adequate rail lines so that trains don't have to sit, sometimes for long stretches, waiting for an oncoming train because there is only one rail line to be used in both directions. Finally, get out of Iraq!

Comment from ShaunF
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First Gather Information:
What do we use in total? What should be our target?
What can easily be reduced?
Mandatory reductions: Make it more expensive to keep energy wasters than to replace them with tax incentives and penalties (tax increases) for households using over X energy.
Invest in a better infrastructure (public transport, effecient & green power)

Comment from Linus
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

I work in a remote location about 30 minutes outside a moderate-sized rural town. To save money and the environment, my coworkers and I changed our schedules to 9-hour days and convinced our employer to let us use a company vehicle (a hybrid Escape, no less) to make the commute. We buy punch cards to keep track of payment and have a set departure time and scheduled drivers, so we don't have the headaches typical of standard carpools. Five people in a car getting over 30 mpg is a big improvement!

Comment from MJ
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Free energy — valid, plentiful, suppressed.

http://www.free-energy.ws/lindemann-1.html

Comment from Bruce May
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First drill for oil and natural gas offshore and in Alaska, build more refining plants to increase production, convert all power plants to natural gas or put advanced scrubbers on coal power plants, increase atomic power plants, and convert all automobiles and trucks to electric drive with plug-in meter stations everywhere you may park. Convert all homes and businesses to solar power and wind power.

Comment from sascha2
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

A tax credit ought to be offered to employers for every employee-day telecommuted. This will save vast amounts of fuel (probably reducing the cost of oil), clear up rush hour traffic, save lives that might be lost to traffic accidents (and reduce injuries, too), deeply reduce air pollution from vehicles and reduce potential damage from (less needed) drilling (offshore and otherwise), put less wear-and-tear on infrastructure (saving money), make neighborhoods safer with more people there to watch over them, and improve businesses bottom lines.
What are the potential objections?
• Employers may object to the record-keeping requirement, but surely they know today who is in the office and who isn’t. Further, they are not required to take the credit.
• Reduced travel will mean reduced income from tolls and gas taxes. However, since much of this money goes to repair infrastructure, etc., the lowered need for such repairs will partially offset this. Besides, good idea though this is, it is not wholly without trade-offs.
• Reduced fuel use will likely negatively impact oil company profits. Yeah, I feel really bad about that…
• The credit, itself, will cost money. Personally, I call this a bargain.

Comment from Ezer
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

One thing that's very noticeable in the U.S. is how your entire life is built around the car. Suburbia is an American invention, and the suburbs are still getting larger. You need to reverse that trend, along with the highway-building investments that support it. The real-estate crisis needs to be taken advantage of. Now is the time to reshape the way urban communities are built, and start bringing people back from the suburbs. The goal should be, less people who depend on cars, and less space taken up for living. For some reason this is not a proposition that is on the table right now.
Obviously, this will take something of a cultural shift too. The American Dream is still the house in suburbia. But you need to start by making policy shifts that will allow people to imagine this kind of life too.

Comment from chrisrushlau
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

An economist would suggest that we don't really know what oil use is costing us because our foreign policy interferes in the market, by stationing Israel on the fringe of the oil-lands and by directly invading some of these lands ourselves. The price of oil almost quadrupled since the Global War on Terror started.
Two further points: tackle big, near problems before small, far-off ones. A problem-solving attitude with that sense of proportion ("do-ability") will get going when it starts having successes. A senior Palestinian official said over the weekend that the two-state solution will never work as things stand so a "binational" solultion, Palestinians and Jews together in one state, is all that's left. Another word for "binational" is "liberty under law".
The law is our framework for solving problems. We have to regain our faith in due process. We can't have a crazy non sequitur like the "Jewish and democratic state" terrifying the oil producers on one hand and these, so far, seventy one little, iffy oil-replacement solutions on the other. Law requires balance and allows balance. It requires we balance our expectations by some basic sense of fairness, but then allows these "reasonable expectations" to find workable, broadly supported realization: like civil rights, for instance. And a sophisticated transportation grid.

Comment from eugenewu
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

A national program to put photovoltaic panels or other renewable energy source onto every new residential or business building that would feed into the grid. It's time to distribute electrical generation to thousands of individual generators, not just a few select local monopolies using fossil fuels. Once people are ready to generate their own electricity, each individual will be empowered to fuel his/her own electric/plug-in hybrid vehicle with it.

Comment from b
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

How about reinstituting efforts to educate the general public on the benefits of nuclear energy? The world has learned a lot about nuclear power since the events that gave it a bad reputation. Europe has demonstrated how well nuclear power can work. It just needs to be accepted by the general public, who, in general, still thinks nuclear power is still unacceptably unsafe. Education is the only thing that can fix this incorrect belief.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

And just to make sure that people get on board with the bicycling thing: an outright ban on motor vehicles (except for emergency vehicles) for one day every month. Think what this would do for, say, LA!

Comment from Holly Dain
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

We should institute a Peace Corp type system where young Americans commit a couple years to working building the infrastructure necessary for renewable fuels. The large energy corporations now making record profits should contribute the majority of the funding as they will be profitting from the infrastructure once complete. The workers would be learning the necessary skill for jobs in the new clean fuel industry and should be given job placement assistance at the completion of their service. This would create jobs, training and the infrastructure our country needs for a oil free future.

Comment from Keleigh Muzaffar
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

How about reducing the amount of wasteful plastic packaging?

Comment from monte greene
August 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

http://www.valcent.net/i/misc/vertigro/index.html
ALGAE!!!

Comment from bahen
August 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

All modifications of driving habits, speeds, etc. still use oil, although maybe less oil. Even public transportation is oil based.

ENCOURAGE TELECOMMUTING. This uses NO oil and has several added advantages of a social nature: no one cares what color, age or sex you are as long as you get your work back accurately and on time. And even more positively, no one cares about physical disabilities. You can do computer work from a wheel chair. Lots of areas already maintain no offices. When you order from many computer on line places, the operators are at home and the stock is stored right at the UPS or FedEx terminal - they don't even have warehouses.

So I urge distributed work places to avoid the necessity of commuting and offer work to everyone willing to be reliable no matter where they live.

Comment from Sam
August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

What No One is telling our Congressional Members about Energy.

I have been reading Letters to the Editor in my local newspaper that try to make the case for “More Drilling for Oil in America.” Most of us remember the mid 1970’s when we had a world wide oil shortage and the price of gasoline went up. Soon it came down and we were back enjoying our gas guzzlers.

If America and our Automobile Industry had learned from this and supported fuel efficient cars, we would not be paying the price we are now paying. The oil companies did learn. They did stop building new refineries but NOT because of environmental concerns nor NIMBY (No In My Back Yard) as one writer had written. Instead, the oil industry began merging and started slowly closing, one at a time, their existing refineries. The result was gasoline prices slowly started their climb to where they are now. Not because of any perceived oil shortages but because of decreasing refinery capacity. To prove this point, does anyone believe the new congressionally mandated 10% ethanol is made at refineries that cost one billion dollars to build or does everyone understand they are using “moth-balled/ closed" oil refineries on loan from the Oil Industry to make mandated corn ethanol?

I have been following the Congressional House hearing where the oil executives have been testifying. The oil industry is saying they do not have any "off –shore or on-shore" drilling equipment not already in use. Bottom line – they do not have the equipment to do more drilling. If they did “find some” not in use, I would suggest they start re-drilling Texas/Oklahoma oil fields where 2/3rd of all oil ever found is still in the ground or maybe on the 38 million acres off-shore where they have found and are obtaining a lot of Gulf Oil on land already under lease. That oil will come to American refineries.

The fifty years that the oil executives are telling Congress that Prudhoe Bay will keep the Alaskan Pipe line full of oil, none of that oil has ever nor will ever be made into American Gasoline. Congress does not understand all of our Alaskan oil goes to China, Japan and South Korea. So while some congressional members scream to drill ANWR, there is NO rational reason to drill the Arctic National Wildlife Refugee.

We all remember when our president failed to get Saudi Arabia to sell more oil. A week later Saudi Arabia said why they refused. Their answer was that the world oil pipe line had all the oil it can handle (meaning refinery capacity).

Since cars do not run on oil but require gasoline, if we want the price of gas to go down then the oil industry needs to put “moth-balled” refineries back into service. Surely all of our Congressional members know this. Could it be no one wants to tell the oil industry to “do it”?

Does anyone believe the oil industry will build more drilling rigs or take old refineries out of "moth Balls" unless Congress gets involved? Why should the oil industry want the price of oil to go down? They are the ones who closed their old refineries in the first place.

Americans while hurting now must wean itself off oil and help the rest of the world learn how to successfully, peacefully and rapidly retreat from its addiction to oil. If not we will remain at the mercy of the oil industry that has since the 1970's been unregulated. My next car will be a plug in electric powered I hope by solar panels on my house.

Comment from Tom Janowski
August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Stop automatically thinking about alternative energy sources and think instead about "people-powered" transportation. Every single urban/suburban area needs a netword of dedicated, safe bike/blade/walk paths. There are many existing assets that can be used to start this type of path network–unused railway areas, for example.

There are far too many cities in the northeast that jumped into building light rail at an extreme cost only to remove their rail systems 15 - 25 years later when they were deemed failures. Bike paths could be done m