Why are we still so dependent of oil energy?

Question

Alternative energy, why is not reaching the consumers fast enough?

Answer 1

well the reason were so dependant on oil and fossil fuel energies is because governments are making too much money out of them too let renewable energies take over if they were serious about replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources they would be handing out subsidies to companies that were developing them

Answer 2

Government policy and economics,

Policy - in the late 1970s we had policies that encouraged alternative sources through government aid and tax breaks. When that dried up, so did most of the alternatives. With out massive government help, item 2 takes over.

Economics - As expensive as it seems, its still cheaper to heat our homes and run our cars from oil. When the economics of alternatives make sense, then they will start to really be used by people and companies.

Hybrids are good examples. Hybrid economics is marginal at best. Add some tax rebates and maybe an insurance rate break and... and it almost makes sense. Close enough that many people feel there are additional benefits beyond a simple payback. And if gas does go to $6 a gallon then they will be the ones laughing.

Answer 3

Unlike Brazil our politicians permitted the oil industry to impede progress on alternative sources and put us in this mess. it was not one political party but both of them that stuffed their pockets while we were led down this path to disaster. Just as the government permitted most of the jobs to be taken overseas and changed our manufacturing base to be changed to a health care economy they held up research.

Answer 4

Mainly because of the geeko freeks that do not want us to do anything other than what they want!