Recharging Our Batteries Part II Dealing With the Problem

To solve our energy problem in the United States, we need to realize that it won’t go away, it will get worse. The number of present energy sources is finite, and we have to start with that in mind. Before anything is done, we need to expend some energy, some mental energy, and come to an agreement. What I propose is to use brainpower as our first available
resource.

We need our top experts in ecology, ecosystems, geology, energy, and engineering to get together first. Their goal will be to set the standards from
which the solution will evolve. I should mention here that activists, Hollywood movie moguls, politicians, well meaning “advisors” from other countries, UN representatives and well-meaning citizens with commemorative panda bear refrigerator magnets from the World Wildlife Federation are NOT experts, and their opinions should either be ignored or actively disallowed.

For example: we have coal available in this country to use as an energy source. We first need to determine what pollutants are released when coal is burned, the most effective way to burn coal with minimal pollutant
release, and how to catch the majority of those pollutants, if not all of them, and either reuse or safely dispose of them. Quit arguing about using coal,
accept that we will, and develop the technology to use it safely. Once the requirements are set, American industry can go to work to develop the requisite technology, build the coal-fired electrical plants, and start producing. At the same time we need our scientists working to develop a liquid fuel from coal that can be used as a substitute for gasoline.

Oil exploration in this country needs to continue and expand. We have the technology to drill for oil and pump it out of the ground with minimal impact on the environment. The ecofreaks need to be told “We’re gonna do it, like it or not, now help us figure out additional minimal impact methods or just get out of the way!”. We also need to make recycling of plastic a priority. If we develop methods to recycle and reuse plastic, we cut down on the amount of crude oil used to make plastic. Any refined oil should be reused,
too, such as the oil that lubricates our internal combustion engines. The use of natural gas as an alternative fuel should be promoted, where feasible.

Finally, further research should be promoted into extracting oil from shale. There’s companies doing it now, they need our support.

One last thing: All oil extracted from wells in the United States or her territories should be earmarked to refining, distribution, and use in the United States. No sales of our oil to other countries. Congress has the power to regulate commerce to other countries, they need to start using that power. Of course, some will say “What if Saudi Arabia did the same thing?”. Let them. They’ll end up with so much oil they can’t use we’ll be able to pick it up for $5.00 a barrel.

Next, we need to look at hydroelectric power. While I don’t favor any more dams (they tend to screw up the environment) we can look at hydroelectric power developed by wave motion. We have a lot of coastline
with tidal motion, and that motion can be turned into electrical energy.
Geothermal energy is a so far untapped source that we need to start developing. We have the technology to drill far enough into the earth’s crust to tap geothermal energy, and we need to give serious consideration to its controlled development. (For those that think there might not be much usable power there, go take a trip around Mount St. Helens sometime.)

We need to further develop nuclear energy, while, at the same time, developing safe disposal methods for used nuclear materials. (One method that comes to mind is a nuclear powered magnetic rail gun, to shoot
containers of used nuclear waste into orbit. Unmanned drones in space, remotely controlled, could harvest these containers and launch them toward the sun. We have an incinerator that can burn every bit of nuclear waste on this planet without a hiccup, let’s use it. We can even contract to dispose of nuclear waste from other countries, and make the operation pay for itself!)

Finally, we need to aggressively work toward development of fusion reactors. One such reactor designed has a proposed by-product of pure water. Perhaps states like Texas, Nevada, and Arizona would
be interested in such a by-product.

The point is, we CAN solve our energy problems if we work together, instead of fractionalizing our efforts. Get Hollywood and politics out of the energy business, and American know how at work, and the energy problem
can be turned into an energy surplus in one generation.

Copyright© April 14, 2005
By Dave Hoffman

Use granted to all who identify author.

Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere.