Should the US invest in alternative ENERGY sources, If so what type?

Question

To me is not about global warming...but how long can we depend on a region of the world that seems to be based on TRIBALISM. For National Security: Would the smart thing to do is to get independant with our own energy source...I think we have the basic understanding to make the leap and let Arabs and Persians eat their own oil. What do you think?

Answer 1

We already are.

20% of the electrical grid is powered by Nuclear.

The US is third in wind energy production, and our wind turbines are going to double within a year or two.

Coal to liquid plants are being built.

E 85 and Biodiesel are coming on line.

Answer 2

HHMMM I would have to say Geothermal since it can be used and harvested basically anywhere on Earth, # 2 for the Southwest Alot of Solar Power both private and company owned, #3 for the Great Plains would be Wind Power but be sensible and use it a fair distance away from homes or crops as wind turbines can dry out the air near farmlands.

Answer 3

Considering the concern of greenhouse gases, CO2 in particular, I would say investing in wave and/or geothermal power would make a whole lot of sense.

Approximately 40% of the greenhouse gas emission in California come from electrical generation. If the new California law requiring reduction of CO2 stays in place, it would make sense to tap into alternative sources of energy where fuel combustion is not used.

The alternative sources of energy that do not use fuel combustion are hydroelectric power, solar, wind, ocean and geothermal. Hydroelectric power would require building additional dams. Solar power is limited to the availability of sunlight, wind is limited to the availability of wind, which is approximately 10 - 15% available at the required wind speed. Ocean power has 95% availability. Geothermal power also has similar availability as Ocean power.

Answer 4

at this point oil and gas and coal are the cheapest form of energy we have

its wealth really, so its like pulling wealth out of the ground

why not be friends with middle eastern people and buy oil at a fair price, then everybody wins?

Developing new sources like Hydrogen cars and wind power a solar and biofuels are all important too, less pollution and alternatives to oil for 50 years from now when it mostly runs out.