Isn't it time to start getting off of Oil as a fuel for energy?

Question

I don't like the idea of using something to enrich a region of the world that really does like us. Plus our own domestic supplier are having too much fun gouging Americans. I think Americans biggest strenght comes from the ability to invent. Should we know start putting to energy to inventing a new energy source?

Answer 1

Energy independence certainly is one of the biggest issues facing the nation today. There are efforts being made in the area of biodiesel and ethanol, which are renewable energy sources that would also help the American farmer.

However, when discussing this subject, there are always environmental concerns that come up. We could in the short term increase our use of coal, which is cheap and plentiful in this country, but that also would increase the emission of "greenhouse gases." There is certainly more oil to be drilled for in Alaska and offshore in the Gulf and in California, but then we have to listen to concerns about loss of habitat. Nuclear power is clean and efficient, but we have not built a new nuclear plant in this nation in years.

I do agree that one of our greatest strengths is our ingenuity and inventiveness. Now that we have come to a point in time when it is economically advantageous to industry to find alternative energy sources, it is a virtual guarantee that it will happen.

Answer 2

Of course it would be better if we could get off the oil train and we certainly can because there is enough new technology to at least reduce oil usage down to where it is not a crisis all the time. However, having said that we must understand that the American political and financial system is addicted to oil more than consumers are and thats the problem. Home heating and motor vehicles would be great places to emphasize getting away from oil but thats not going to happen anytime soon without some serious leadership in government. You know that ain't gonna happen! Anytime you have two gas stations one mile apart selling gas for as much as 45 cents difference when the gas came from the same tanker and no public official can find out why that happened, and happens every week, then we have little hope that government is going pursue alternative fuel sources. Propane, wind, solar, thermal, and hydrogen are just some fuel sources that are entirely feasible and yet you can find people who claim to be environmentalists protesting the use of almost all of these clean, renewable fuel sources. Its a mess and one we cannot afford. Perhaps we need new public officials who are not dependent on lobbyists for cash but that would take a lot of thought on the part of the voting public. You can see thats not going to happen either as you need only look at the blogs from political cultists spouting slogans from one side or another when in fact we need to demand results and progress and not slogans.

Answer 3

We have the technology to use alternative sources for energy but the problem is the oil companies have a lot of money they wont let another source come in. I knew a guy that made a carburetor that got over 100 miles to the gallon. He found a buyer for them who was going to mass produce them well the guy was murdered. For vehicles we can use alcohol, electricity etc there are many things we can do we do not need oil. The oil companies pay politicians that is why we still use oil

Answer 4

It is time indeed for you and me, and the rest of us, but it is not the time for oil companies to accept the introduction of another source of energy that will put a stop to their extravagant revenues? I don't think so, that is the reason why no one really looks for another source of energy.

Answer 5

Past time