Does America need to boost alternative fuels?

Question

With the prices of oil skyrocketing, will alternative energy sources be boosted with government backing?

Answer 1

Until we see these politicians start taking there invested money out of the oil markets and start reinvesting in alternate energy sources, nothing is likely to happen as far as government backing.  It appears that the private sector is growing more and more aware of this sad fact.  Luckily, the private sector is constantly bombarding these idol bureaucrats with suggestions and requests for change.  I hope these bureaucrats can get it through their thick skulls that they either need to start embracing the green-movement or get out of its way.

Answer 2

The latest spike in oil prices has NOTHING TO DO WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND but everything to do with investors buying up commodities because they are seen as safe investments because of the falling value of the dollar.  We do need alternatives.  Electric and compressed air look to be the most promising.  We should be building more nuclear plants which we neglected all these years since chernobyl and 8 mile island.  Tech has improved it's safe.  The reason chernobyl melted down is because of the lack of a containment dome.  Solar should be ramped up in the southwest and we should change to high voltage direct current power as opposed to our current AC system.  Wind power should be more plentiful in the midwest and offshore in places.  Tidal power has been overlooked.  A plan is being made to use turbines to generate power using the gulf stream.

Answer 3

This is the result of the government letting all these consolidations of the oil and gas industry.  Now there are few enough that they can come together and say "OK boys if we do this together we can make it big".  So now they got the politicians in there pocket and the worlds main energy source under there control.   Our only option now is to vote everyone possible out of office and replace them with people who will break there monopoly and force alternative fuels.

Answer 4

unfortunately, there is still too much money to be made off oil.  they have the electric car perfected, but they won't sell it to people.  also, the problem with electric cars can be handled easily - the range on the cars is only about 250 miles before needing to be recharged.  you exchange propane tanks at gas stations, why can't you pay a little to get a battery that is charged in exchange for the one in your car? - cheaper than filling up, that's why.  the oil companies forget that there are a lot of people who just bought their car and it will be about 20 or 30 years before they are ready for the junk yard if they make a good electric car.  watch "who killed the electric car" - it is a movie.  this will make you angry about this topic like I am.

Answer 5

I'd like to add that with an all-mighty automotive and oil lobby, we're not likely to see any government backing.

There is, however, an interesting-looking homepage I've found not too long ago; if I remember well, it's "water4gas". Currently, it's about using water, or rather hydroxy (HHO), as a fuel supplement, the future, though, is wide open.

What's so interesting here is that if enough people world-wide get interested in this, it could be made to work like Linux - open source, anybody free to try it, alter it, improve it. Then, this project stands a much better chance than if somebody patented it, sold the patent to some car manufacturer, where they'd pop it into some safe to rot!

I'm currently trying to get students at Poznań Tech (Poland) interested. I'd be thankful for any kind of feedback!

Answer 6

I  really hope so.  I need to buy a car this year and I'm desperately looking for a hybrid or at least a high mileage regular engine car I can comfortably take a long trip in with my family.  But they are so expensive and we are adding a third driver this year so my budget is limited.  It is miserably aggravating that oil companies making obscene profits get subsidies from the government, but we can't be bothered to take that money to help a struggling industry that would solve so many problems, including our dependence on the Middle East oil...  I can't wait for a new administration!!!!!!!!  I only hope they can put the "money where their mouth is" when they actually get in to office.

Answer 7

As the price of oil and the price of the energy derived from it rise, the natural incentive for people to find alernatives increases, the prices of the alternatives become relatively more competitive, and businesses seeking market opportunities make efforts to meet the rising demand.

If the price of cow milk went up to $15/gallon would the government have to subsidize soy milk?  No, the soy milk would be selling better than ever, and new companies would be entering the soy milk business and researching any other conceivable alternatives.

America, as in Americans, will boost whatever works for them.  America, as in the U.S. government, does not need to force them to do that.  On the other hand, "will" the government subsidize it?  Well it does, and it will, and some people will continue to see the government as the great provider of all things good and important and demand more and sooner, of course.

Answer 8

With the increase of ethanol use, our grocery prices are going through the roof. Farmers cannot afford to feed their beef, fertilize their fields and the list goes on. However, there are a lot of people that thumb their noses at this perspective. Which is too bad really, they should realize, without food to eat because prices are so high, where will we end up?

Answer 9

the way it is right now some of the alternatives don't need govt backing

so s***w big oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

no

Answer 11

ALT. Fuels is here, the vehicles aren't