Friday, February 13, 2009

How to Solve Our Dependence on Foreign Energy

Even with gas and oil prices dipping over the last six months, we have to keep in mind that unless we do something drastic this is only temporary. When the economy comes back online, expect the return of four dollar gas. Oil could again reach near $150 and a prolonged economic growth period could push gas near six dollars.

In order to attempt to reverse this potential future, the government and our business leaders need to make the decision that we should be less dependent on foreign energy. Everyone states how they'd like to do this, but it's imperative that we act boldly, especially while our enemies like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela have smarting economies.

So here's my plan. If you don't like it or feels that it doesn't go far enough, feel free to comment. If you think it's a good idea, email it to people you know to begin a chain that could end with Congressmen and Senators. It's time to act, and I think that it's about time.

What We Need to Do:

1. Relax restrictions on drilling for most domestic areas-- basically anywhere that won't really damage the environment. Make oil companies pay 25 cents on the dollar of profits from this new land opened in reinvestment, the "greening" of their facilities and automobiles, and the expansion of alternative energy.

2. Have the Congress invest $50 billion over the next 5-10 years in ethanol production in Brazil. Sugarcane in Brazil produces much more ethanol cheaper than corn, and avoids the fuel/food scenario. Have these fields owned by our government, with the ethanol being sent to the US tariff and tax free.

3. Create wind, solar, and geothermal energy on federal land, including solar panels on federal buildings. Phase out gasoline and diesel cars from federal and state vehicles, and phase in CNG, biodiesel, and ethanol cars.

4. Provide $50 billion over 10 years for the construction of ten synthetic coal-to-oil plants.

5. Eliminate most or all taxes on Compressed Natural Gas, and push for more drilling.

6. Mandate that all newly built homes and businesses be constructed with either solar panels or a small wind turbine OR have the owners pay a waiver to the federal government.

7. Allow the construction of more refineries and nuclear plants.

This plan is definitely expensive, but if carried out, could save us the amount it costs overall in just one year. This could be our ticket out of ALL energy entanglements with other countries (except Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.) Make this message count, send it to those who want to make a difference!

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