Are We Doing Enough With Energy.

Written by: Kevin A on Jun 29, 2008 8:00 PM EDT

This is my first day with DFA. I was linked by Fox News 5. I was watching the debate for the Senate in GA. I was very impressed with candidate Rand Knight. He won my vote with his stance on energy. Here are a couple of blogs that state my position on this very important topic. Energy policy is also why I will vote for Obama.

Peak production for oil has passed. If the oil companies needed leases, I would say open up the restricted areas. The fact there are millions of acres that have not been utilized yet suggests oil companies are just sitting them.

Federal state and county governments should provide very aggressive incentives for fuel efficient cars. Like $10,000 per unit. Weatherizing all homes and business, tank less water heaters heated by solar. Solar and wind systems for homes, business and farms on a scale so they would be energy neural. All of these should have like 50% - 70% subsidies. All of these plans should be geared to American jobs. You could call these efforts government giveaways but they could be structured so the governments get repay ed when the systems are pay ed for. As mass production ramps up, the costs for these systems and products will drop dramatically. Whether we drill or not, solar and wind is free after the systems are installed. At $5 a gallon and more in the future it just makes sense. It will take a very committed and aggressive public to force push the congress past politics. We will send 100 billion a year in fuel costs to other countries. Over 200 billion a year for two wars. In 2007 we spent 505 billion for defense alone. Out of that 505 billion we spent 72 million just for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. 247 billion a year for interest on federal debt as a result of the war.

Why not invest 300 billion a year on renewables. With that kind of funding it will put us on the path to become energy independent.

All appliances should be energy star. Computers, TV's, cell phones etc should be energy star. Anything sold that uses electricity should be energy efficient. The rest should be taken off the shelves. Give these producers of products 5 years to retool.

Any new structure should be mandated to be built energy efficient.

All existing homes (down the road like 15 years)(and with help from incentives and funding programs for the poor) should be set to a energy standard.

The process of harnessing ocean currents, should be pursued aggressively and funded.

In 15 years to 20 years renewables should be at 50% not 15% -25%.

Offer 20 billion prize to the first car company that puts 100 million cars on the road that get 100 miles per gallon.

Other good energy ideas I'm sure I missed. The general idea is to energize America to invest heavily in renewables with the goal of making carbon based fuels an afterthought.

US Spending 2007

Department of Energy
(In millions of dollars)
National Nuclear Security Administration 9,316

Nuclear Waste Disposal 544

Energy Resources, 2,949

Total, Outlays 22,639

Department of Defense

(In millions of dollars)

Total, Outlays 504,863

Out of 2,770 billion dollars spent in 2007 (including 247 billion for interest on the debt), (505 billion for Defense), we spend less than 3 billion on renewable energy. I got this information from the office of Budget and Management on the White House web site.

We spend over 4 billion just on military housing. I encourage you to scroll through the billions we spend. We are paying a high price for carbon based fuels because of finite supplies. Its time we threw 50 billion a year for 20 years toward renewable energy and conservation. We spend 73 billion on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation for military equipment.

We have the money if we choose to have the will.

War is not just having control of countries. Radical Muslims around the world are kicking our ass. Doing it with chump change. We are spending our "way of life" into the ground. We will become like the USSR. A huge military with a poor standard of living for it's people.

(They collapsed).

In 2007 alone we spent 505 billion on defense. Out of that 505 billion we spent 73 billion for (Research, Development, Test and Evaluation). 46 billion on homeland security. How much do you think the radical Muslims spent.

Our country became dominant through industry fueled by cheap energy. How much did we spend on renewables in 2007? 2 billion. Do you really think we would be at war in Iraq if we weren't worried about oil?

Be our leader. This one issue will determine my vote. I encourage you to go after it.

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