Solutions to all the world’s energy problems

Fifty-one thousand jobs were lost in July, and the average price for a gallon of gas is… Fifty-one thousand jobs were lost in July, and the average price for a gallon of gas is hovering around $4. Unfortunately, the current national dialogue focuses on whether Congress will open up the United States’ shores to oil drilling and if Alaska’s national parks should be tapped. Yet, this discussion is rooted in bygone technology and offers no long-term solution as to how to transition away from fossil fuels. Let’s reject the lazy politics of offshore drilling and similar backward solutions to embrace an energy revolution in the United States that will create jobs, technology and establish us as the 21st century energy capital of the world.

The economy is currently spiraling downward in the face of inflation, high-energy prices and the loss of a manufacturing sector. By starting a federally funded program to research, develop and construct the energy technology of tomorrow, the economy will be strengthened in the immediate and long term. Not since the industrial revolution has the United States had an opportunity to take control of future industry in the world.

There is substantial potential to emerge as the global leader in green technology. But if the current talk about our energy crisis doesn’t expand beyond where to drill for oil, the United States will miss out on a chance to stabilize both the economy and the energy sector.

The recent discourse of offshore drilling to lower gas prices is misleading and bad policy. According to NPR, ‘The Department of Energy says there may be 18 billion barrels of oil in coastal waters, but they also say that drilling for it would not have a significant impact on production or prices until 2030.’ This means that if Congress removes the ban on offshore drilling tomorrow, despite its current recess, there will be no decrease in the cost of gasoline until 2030.

What’s the point of perusing such backward policy? It’s obviously politically convenient since intuitively one might think that increased domestic drilling would result in immediately cheaper gas, but it’s the type of policy that will handcuff the United States to outdated technology.

Fossil fuels are on their way out, and there is no need to rely on them anymore. Continuing to tie the nation to a finite resource is dangerous and irresponsible, especially given bleak reports on peak oil.

Instead, the United States should position to become the leader in alternative fuels and establish an industry so that it would not need to rely on hostile nations for its energy.

End the millions in subsidies given to farmers growing corn for ethanol, an alternative fuel source that has proven to be inefficient and unable to effectively replace oil, and transfer that money into the construction of dams, wind turbines, nuclear power plants, geo-thermal energy facilities, solar power fields and other alternative energy solutions.

Establish a program similar to the Works Progress Administration for the 21st century. The next president should request that Congress establish a program to federally fund the construction of these new technologies. Not only would this spur investment, economic growth and create badly needed jobs, but it would accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Establish the energy sector as the largest sector in the United States, and provide jobs and career opportunities for millions of people.

While this new energy sector would take time to establish, Congress should create programs to benefit consumers immediately. More federal money should be spent on helping the domestic auto industry develop affordable hybrids and fund buy-back programs that would pay a premium for traditional internal combustion engines.

The United States is at a crisis point with gas prices at some of their highest levels and foreclosures still occurring at a record pace. Congress and the president cannot feud over how to move forward but must act now and transcend silly partisan politics in the face of a potential collapse of the U.S. economy. The American people deserve a comprehensive, viable solution to a problem that touches on every aspect of society.

To allow political differences to get in the way of what needs to be a major effort on behalf of the federal government is irresponsible and unforgivable. Demand that the next president approach the economic and energy predicament not as two separate problems but as one crisis that needs broad all-inclusive solutions.

E-mail Dan at dancamarda@gmail.com.