What's the point of discussing energy, if the only category of energy that anyone cares about is oil?
It is a fact that oil and its derivatives permeate just about every aspect of our economy, and without which, our standard of living would be severely curtailed. That is not conjecture, that is a fact. Transitioning from a hydrocarbon based economy will take a long and expensive time, multiple decades, in fact, and cannot be AlGored in 10 years at any cost.
As for energy in general, whatever works is fine with me. Development of all forms of energy should be on the table, if they are economically feasible. My position on the "politics of energy" is for government entities to establish reasonable environmental standards for production and extraction of energy resources and to then get the hell out of the way.
That means no further obstructions, no mandates, and no subsidies, period. Your "bias" is in having faith in government directives setting energy policy. Mine is trusting in a free market (and I mean free, not partially free) to deliver energy that works, and in the most economical way possible.
IMO, most non carbon based energy sources are only niche players in the energy market and will remain so for much longer than wishers and dreamers imagine.
Hydro electric generation is fine, but there aren't many places to build new dams, and some existing ones are causing environmental damage.
Nuclear power is safe and clean with current designs and I'd like to see more of them built (which they would be with silly and expensive "obstructions" removed).
Bio fuels, as currently mandated, are a farce, and a destructive one at that, for reasons well documented.
Geothermal is a tiny niche source, and will remain so, as areas for its development are quite limited.
Solar power has a good future, IMO, and will continue to develop in efficiency and economy.
Wind, however, as several links on this thread have documented, has major problems, and in many instances (similar to corn based ethanol) is worse than the hydrocarbon energy sources it's supposed to replace.
Bottom line, if "oil die hards", as you call them, predominate on this thread, perhaps it's because they are aware of its predominant importance to our entire way of life, for transportation, food, and myriad other visible and unseen aspects of our modern economy.
And also, of course, us "oil die hards" express frustration at a government that seems blissfully unaware of the fact that it is standing in the way of allowing energy companies to develop the realistic resources that we have here at home that would lessen our dependence on foreign sources...
Edit: As for hydrogen, sure it's clean, but it has to be made first and that takes energy, of course.. |
