Then you didn't read Bushes energy policy that he published back in 2001. He had generious tax incentives for hydrogen and fuel cell research in there as well as government finded geothermal, solar and wind research. The problem was that is also had drilling in Alaska, etc. So that's all the Dems zeroed on that singe item (or mentioned only that as if that was all it was). I read Bushes plan almost 5 years ago....it was on the Whitehouse site for download. It had all the items in there that you say you want (and some you don't). Seems like it was a pretty balanced approach to me! Find research for future independence AND do what is needed to reduce dependancy in the mean time. Had that been pbutted 4 years ago, we would be importing less AND research would be 4-years ahead iof where we currently are in all those alternative energy areas.
The frozen wasteland is already dead. (well except for a few Carribou that won't miss the 40 acres of ice).
What electric cars are you speaking of? Those died back in the 1980's. Do mean hybrids? And if you mean those, disposal of their toxic batteries will be the next environmental hurdle to face.
Name one "electric car" that has sold in the past 25 years. If you mean hybrids, their total sales if a very small percentage of overall sales.
I sure hope so. Maybe people will start purchasing more efficient vehicles. That is exactly what happened in the mid-late 70's when energy costs shaply increased. Hmmm...wasn't that when the peanut farmer Jimmy Carter was in office? Hmmm...he must have had a scheme to run cars on peanut oil to have forced energy costs to go up that much when he was in office (see how rediculous that sounds?) Carter had nothing to do with energy costs then. Bush has nothing to do with it now.
Trust me, Bush doesn't control world oil market prices. We (the people) control half of the equasion with our consumption. Oil producers control the other half of the equasion with their supply controls. Since supply his at record levels, consumption is the main driver of cost at this time. 80% of the oil producers are outside of the US and certaintly not under Bush's control. Then your have the capacity issue (capacity to pump, ship-transport and refine) in there as a wildcard. A refinery goes off line, up go the prices. A deliver terminal goes off line, up go the prices. I guess Bush sabbotaged those two refineries last week too, huh? Get real!
I did. It didn't explain why most poeople don't choose the "green" electrical producer or removed their solar panels on their homes. The fact is that hybrids are a very small percentage of sales. What is driving the sales is the cost of energy has gone up. (although the price delta of a hybrid is still not economically viable). IF gas were still 1.10 a gallon, like it was 3-4 years ago, the hybrid vehicle would likey be a very small niche market.
Now how is that helpful?
No it won't. I said exactly what you just said....since it didn't happen in the late 90's when money was available, now it might even though money is not as available. Why? BECAUSE, energy costs are higher which makes alternative forms of energy more likely to be a viable option. So, you should be happy for the higher enerfy costs. That will help make hydrogen and other technologies potentially more cost effective. Something you would like, I'm sure.
Then why did they then? I'm all ears. Not a single one remains today. IF they were more expensive to maintain than other forms of energy, they'll go. If they're cheaper to maintain than other forms of energy, they'll stay. Pretty simple economics, really. My guess is we'll start seeing them again after people pay their heating bill this coming winter.
