A single decision can make a big difference in Mr. Obama's energy policy on Day One of his first term, and it doesn't even take an act of Congress to make it happen.
By Executive Order, Mr. Obama can require that all new Federal Government vehicles use alternative fuel sources. Whether they order hybrid, bio-diesel, propane or LPG, fuel cells, liquid hydrogen, or vehicles using other sources of clean propulsion fuel, Detroit would have to respond in 3 ways, all good for the economy and good for the environment.
First, there is not enough production on-line to meet the massive number of vehicles used by the Federal Government. Auto makers would be forced to hire workers and staff up the plants that have recently been closed to build alternative fuel cars, to meet the demand.
Second, there aren't enough American designs around to meet the various needs of the Feds. They need trucks, vans, buses, cars, and other forms of on-the-road transport. This means we need to invest in more design work to get those vehicles on the road, ready for action. Maybe the nation needs to invest in this research and design; I think so and maybe the new President will too. At this stage of their current financial crises, I don't think the Big 3 could go it alone.
Third, while I hate to use this term, there is a trickle-down effect that would benefit the economy because the new Federal fleet will need local means to re-fuel. Service stations will be needed to pump LPG, refill propane, provide hydrogen for fuel cells, etc., as well as to repair the fleet. This means new training and new jobs for local people across the nation to become knowledageble about the new technologies.
All-in-all, a policy decision to stop buying gasoline burning vehicles would result in a sea-change in the nation's infrastructure. And ultimately, it will make it more reasonable for civilians to own alternative fuel vehicles as well.
Shell and all the other Big Oil Companies may not appreciate this approach to cutting back on petroleum fuel products. Or maybe they will embrace it and partner with the big auto makers to ensure the change happens. Whichever, President Obama has a golden opportunity to make a real change happen early on in his term.
A golden opportunity? Make that a "black" golden opportunity. Texas tea. We don't need more of it, we need less.
It's been this way forever on other little places in the solar system. Like, say, Mars.
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Bravo!
it might be worth a return to earth just to observe such a phenomenon.
I have a very nice telescope and can pick up television and radio transmissions. Thanks for the invitation though!!!
O'stephanie -- I looked through the other posts before I made my suggestion thinking surely someone else would have an idea grander than this, but most were sort of opining the current state of affairs. We don't need definitions of the problem, we need definitions of the solutions. I know this can't be the whole solution, but it can be a big part.
O'Kathryn - what is it with all these apostrophized O-names anyway? - you hit the nail on the head. The time-line is the critical part. For this plan to make any impact on our economy, it has to be now and it has to be quick.
The O'people are O'sisters! (well, it makes sense to us, at least).
Two that I cite now.
First; The SUV that you have a picture of above, there is a Cadillac version as well, is between 3 and 4 TONS. Is it efficient per pound? Certainly. But the pure waste of moving that incredible mass defies all logic to me. By your plan, that hybrid version would be acceptable. It simply is NOT.
Second idea; Ford Motor Company in the UK is currently selling a diesel powered Ford Focus. It get more than 60 MPG! Don't anyone give me crap about ,"Oh, they'll never buy it here, its a diesel." 60MPG is greener than anything I've heard even SUGGESTED for American consumers. I"d buy it in a heart beat.
Both of these observations run counter to your originally suggest Presidential order.
Also, today, most hydrogen is manufactured by burning either oil or coal, most pure electric vehicles, plug into a coal burning power plant, the manufacture of ethanol requires the burning of nearly the same BTU's of gasoline, diesel, and coal, to manufacture the ethanol, almost BTU for BTU.
I am strongly in favour of reducing our carbon footprint, and reducing our dependence on imported oil.
Its HARD to do it all.
Dean
Diesel is one of the dirtiest carbon-based fuels in the spectrum of all automotive fuels. Getting more MPG should not be part of this policy, although it is laudable. The policy should be to stop using petroleum products completely.
There are ways to generate hydrogen in a clean fashion, using electricity from nuclear power plants. We aren't going to be able to shut down nuclear plants and will probably need more. There is also wind turbine and solar generation of electricity, although heavy use of fuel cells will probably max out those technologies very fast. The country is going to need clean nuclear power for a long time to come.
Get on the bandwagon! Think in positive terms. Performance will be a trade-off also in early production. But even if an alternative fuel vehicle cannot reach 70 mph in 15 seconds, it can still get you where you want to go.
Americans are married to the idea of fast flaming hot rods with nitrous oxide boosted internal combustion engines. There will always be a place for those vehicles. But to reach a goal of fossil fuel independence, we need to change our thought processes as well as where we "gas up."
Nice to revisit.
I am posting again on this today. Just finishing up on it.
My first post on nationalizing oil was pretty much lumped with the in-your-face posts, but I still think that Big Oil needs to hear that this is being discussed so they will know which way the wind blows--right into our turbines--USA owned turbines.
I haven't a clue where that bump in the road came from. Stupid old P4 computer. Gotta feed the hamsters more frequently.