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Originally Posted by Kai Nui
Richhh, it already is  Can't you see the glow?
While I firmly believe politics is behind the 16mpg gas guzzlers that still clutter our roadways, I really do not want this to become a political discussion. I seriously believe that a large group of intelligent people can come up with a viable solution. There is little incentive for the commercial market to do it. The returns will not support the R&D. If we want to make this happen, it will have to come from within the boating community from people who are not politically motivated, and can think outside the box. |
As an owner of three very small
oil wells, let me tell you that politics definitely has a lot to do with the energy mess that the
USA is starting to be in. 1. The
USA policy of restraining refining capacity development is probably the GREATEST influence of rising prices at this time. Domestically, we are awash with
oil; but, simply cant refine the stuff -- that creates a supply/demand crisis that artifically jacks the
price. 2. The transportation of continent to continent crude oil is severely throttled by the lack of sufficient carriers ... and those that do exist cannot find 'port priviledges' in the USA (have to be offloaded
offshore because the port facilities are too small and will remain so due to 'politics' ... not in MY back yard ... name/identify ONE super-tanker port on the US west or east coast). 3. The limitations imposed on drilling, developing and further exploration in already discovered fields (North Slope, Atlantic Continental Shelf {natural gas}, etc.) again creates a huge supply/demand imbalance. All these are 'political' restraints that shift supply/demand artificially.
If you want to discuss 'alternative fuels' such as ethanol ... just where do think this needs to be made: refineries ... and we dont have the refining capacity because of LEFT WING and 'tree hugger' imposed restraints. One has only to look at
Brazil where since the 1970s the switch from petroleum to ethanol based chemistry has that very populous nation **totally independent** in its energy needs .... they use multifuel engines and *grow* their
fuel - 90%.
Brazil is totally independent ... and only have 5-10% from oil. Then, Lets look at the coal reserves in the USA that could be easily converted from solid
fuel to petroleum in already developed technology (Sassol Process - the same process that allowed
South Africa and Nazi
Germany to be totally independent from imported petroleum). The proven coal reserves in the USA at
current projection including growth are at 500 years supply ... again, the restraints on mining and refining severely limit and restrains this source. The economic 'break-even' value for coal to petroleum conversion was $1.75/US gallon (in $1985 dollars) ... why didnt this happen: LEFT WING POLITICS ... not in my back yard !!!!!
The USA is awash in potential energy sources ... and its mostly artificially constrained ... by politics.
So the ANSWER to this whole discussion is that the 'intellegent' discussion is of no consequence .... until the tree huggers and disaffected LEFTists simply let the natural economic forces prevail. Its either that or let the USA supply of $$$ capital continue to move/migrate
offshore into other hands (OPEC etc.) until there is not enough capital left in the USA to do ANYTHING and the USA simply becomes a very poor and large
member of the 'third world'. Its really THAT serious. Improvement's in 'consumption technology' (more efficient engines, etc.) only delays the inevetible on the demand/supply curve. If you havent noticed the US supply of capital has shrunk by about ~20-30% in the past 20 years and the 'foreigners' are no longer interested in
buying USA bonds to support us and our 'economy' ... decreasing lack of economic confidence in USA because of this drain. The parallel is like being on a
boat on the largest, most pristine fresh
water lake in the world .... and then dying of thirst because 'politics' forbids 'drinking from unapproved/unauthorized sources'. Have a nice day. Think about it. ;-)
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