Our Energy Policy Needs Some Red Bull

A view about our current energy policy (snippet):

We Don't Have the Energy Why Can't We Set A Goal for Energy? by ED HUNT - posted 11.23.03 Why is it that one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world finds itself incapable of putting together a cohesive energy policy that reduces its dependence on imports and fossil fuels? Roundly denounced as a disastrous piece of rubbish legislation -- packed full with giveaways to polluters, and subsides so egregious that even Republicans are scratching their heads -- the energy bill set before Congress last week will do nothing to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, or on imports of energy from other countries. Much of the legislation is in the form of tax breaks for industries that are already more than profitable. Instead Republicans have gone out of their way to remove environmental laws that threaten their energy industry patrons, while kicking back tax breaks and subsidies -- a return on the investment of hundreds of millions in industry campaign contributions. There is little wonder as to why the energy bill was crafted behind closed doors. After all, even members of Congress have some sense of shame. Three-quarters of the bill's $25 billion in tax dollars will subsidize oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power. Just a quarter will go to help solar, wind, geothermal, ethanol, and hydrogen -- better than nothing, I suppose. More importantly, however, the package of subsidies and tax incentives lacks any sort of policy. There is no goal for the country to increase its use of renewable energy. No goal of conservation. Not even the most modest increase in required fuel economy for cars. Why isn't America up to the task of doing something as simple as raising the fuel economy requirements for cars and trucks --something that engineers know how to do and something consumers have expressed a desire for? Are we so feeble a country now that we lack the power to require even the most minor steps toward efficiency? As if to add to our humiliation -- and as voters, we should be humiliated for putting up with the naked corruption of this Congress -- China announced this week that it will require fuel economy standards for its vehicles that will quickly exceed those of the United States.