We Can Do Better!
by Lee H. Goldberg
The so-called "Energy Bill" that was recently approved by Congress is an immense disappointment to anybody other than a few fat-cat petro-barons and a handful of special interests. It hacks me off that $8 billion of the $12 billion of budget-busting pork went straight to the very people who are already getting rich off $2.50/gallon gasoline while renewable energy and conservation technologies get little more than lip service. The antics of the Congress remind me of trying to bribe a burglar you catch in your home to go away in hopes that they won't come rob you again.
It's a shame that most of our legislators are firmly in the pockets of Big Oil and other special interests because it's preventing free market forces from providing industry with the real-world incentives it's going to take to remain competitive in a global economy where the cost of energy is almost certainly going to remain high, and go higher. The $90+ billion that the energy bill is eventually going to cost us (many authorities, including the Congressional Budget Office put the long-term cost of the bill at $92 billion or more) could have just as easily been invested in industries and technologies that would start building a more efficient America that was much less dependent on foreign oil and well on its way to a sustainable, grandkid-friendly future.
For example, instead of the give-away of drilling rights and to the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (and $18 billion worth of loan guarantees for the pipeline) -- which at best, can deliver 3% of our current oil consumption for 25 - 30 years -- we could have done much better if our legislators had adopted the new efficiency standards originally in the bill that would have required a fleet average of 33 mpg, and made the EPA efficiency ratings more realistic. Investments that boosted the efficiency of cars trucks, (and their evil twins, SUVs) by a mere 10% would save us much more oil than we'll get from ANWR, and in half or less of the 10 years it will take to see the first barrel of oil.
The government's give-aways to Big Energy put any hope for creating a sensible energy future squarely in the hands of consumers and a small group of far-sighted companies which are not relying on government handouts and making their own investment in renewable energy technologies and fuel-efficient vehicles. Many of these will be participating in the Tour de Sol event that will be held May 13-16 in Albany, and Saratoga NY. It's a high-tech, high-touch "traveling festival" and competition that brings together students, manufacturers, energy suppliers, press, government representatives, and consumers for a celebration and display of Yankee ingenuity -- working toward sustainable energy and mobility for the world.
The event will feature the Tour de Sol Championship and several new and exciting activities, including a green "car show" at Saratoga's Spring Auto Show; a Monte Carlo-style rally for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle owners; a "VIP Press" day; and a demo-drive. In addition, a 50-vehicle display and Award Ceremony at New York State's Empire State Plaza in Albany will offer superb opportunities to test-drive 3 All-NEW Hybrid SUVs, and to meet with the press and key government and industry representatives.
I'll be at Tour de Sol volunteering with some of the support duties, and researching a story for green-techZONE for those of you who are unable to see some of the coolest green-tech on the planet for yourselves. If you can make it, I hope you can stop by and say "hi," and let me know what you think of the event. I'm easy to spot -- the large fellow with the beard, sandals, and shoulder bag.
Comments? Questions? New green energy technologies you want to share? Write me at: lgoldberg@green-electronics.com
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