Wes Clark: Economic Basis for Alternative Energy Technologies (TPMCafe)

Aiye, me Gen'ral answers me'call fer'more wind power!! Arrh,..That be true indeed! ehm,.. o'course, ...I be havin other reasons fer "ethanol"! ;) :toast:

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Re: So, this is Iowa... (4.00 / 2) (#11)
by Dread Pirate KR Read on Aug 31, 2005 -- 01:13:17 PM EST

Sir,

As Iowa reflects the heartland of our values, it also reflects the great resource of our country in the agricultural and farming industries.

Yet, as oil prices reach record heights and impacts our economy, Americans are beginning to see Iowa's other resource, especially in the use of alternative energy resources and technologies, such as ethanol from corn. Iowa has corn fields, like the Middle East has oil fields.

How best can we develop and utilize America's energy resources and technologies into an aggressive energy policy initiative, which benefits our economy?

-KR
Maryland, USA

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Re: So, this is Iowa... (3.00 / 0) (#68)
by wclark on Sep 01, 2005 -- 01:21:29 PM EST

I think energy policy has to start with a vision. In the 1950s and early 60s, the United States was a net energy exporting nation. People bought oil from us.

Our goal should be to return to a position where we're selling as much energy abroad as we're buying. This is possible if we use America's natural resources and technology.

Start with renewable energy: wind and solar. The technology is vastly superior to what was available 30 years ago, but it needs continuing government support to move through a myriad of obstacles, including local utility company regulations, investor concerns, and intellectual property protection. But a substantial part of America's energy demand could be met by solar and wind.

Then consider coal. We have some of the largest coal reserves of any nation in the world, and like petroleum, coal is a complex hydrocarbon. It can be gasified and liquefied. It can be used to produce methane, diesel, or aviation gasoline. And its polluting effect can be regulated and minimized. All of this is economically feasible given the current prices of natural gas and petroleum. But again, government leadership is required to "kickstart" the process.

Nuclear energy has always been a quandary. There will always be residual safety concerns, but the more daunting obstacle is the disposition of spent nuclear fuel. Urgent research in materials science is required to produce storage containers that can resist the long-term caustic effects of storing nuclear fuel. And it would be even better if procedures could be developed to nullify the radioactivity of the isotopes.

In the near-term, high energy prices will incentivize more exploration for oil and natural gas. That's fine, but insufficient to meet our real national security needs for energy. This is a perfect example of why a market-oriented solution is not always optimal, and when government leadership and vision are required.

Wes :patriot:
WesPAC -- Securing America's Future:kick:

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:dem:TPM Cafe: "So, this is Iowa..." By Wesley Clark

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But, it does sound like a bunch of thoughts and ideas, and not a policy. Knowing Gen. Clark's nature, my guess is that when he DOES come up with a policy, it will contain those ideas, but be far more complete.

Thanks for posting! Recommended.

TC