Does the United States "guzzle" energy? W/O Oct 12 '04    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line I miss Kona This is my entry to the energy guzzling write off. Thanks to Theuerkorn for letting me crash his pad. The launching pad is at: http://www.epinions.com/content_4045709444 1. Gas prices have hit record highs. What do you think about the argument that $2/gallon is still less than half of what most European countries pay? I say good for the US, bummer for the euros. But, this is nothing new. The numbers are just higher on both sides. 2. Should the US government support energy-saving concepts like hybrid cars with more tax incentives or introduce law to enforce it? Would you choose a hybrid car, even if it means it's not a Hummer or Cayenne? The government should be searching for an alternative fuel with the sense that it is vital to our national security. A Manhattan Project for fuel. There is a better alternative out there just waiting to be discovered. Until then, we should do what we can to conserve, and promote new technology in all forms through grants or other incentives. At this point I canīt see a justification for taking peoples SUVīs from them by dint of law. 3. Given our current energy policy (US), do you support exploration of new oilfields or is it time to really think about alternative energy (and do something)? Both. And in each case with enthusiasm. No one seems to know when we will have a good alternative. Even if an answer is found, to some degree there will probably always be a demand for crude oil. Even a 90% drop in demand would require a scad of product, and that 10% is going to gradually become more precious as time go on. Chances are that the alternative will be something that will require a near complete industrial retooling. And like the VCR, CD, DVD and other new technologies, the start-up costs will be high and that carry on to the consumer. The free market system is what will solve this problem. I can see where large petroleum companies and oil producing countries would be working against any new dynamic alternative. I still wonder about the situation in the movie Tucker, and the stories of backyard mechanic engineers inventing new carburators that would revolutionize the system, only to be bought out or smothered by the big boys. Urban legendsŋ The scenario is logical. If true, it needs to be stamped out. 4. In the office, it's not unusual to run lights, computers and other equipment all the time. Do most workers not know where the power button is or is turning them off over night and the weekend just way overrated? Again, the free market system is the answer. Wasting energy is wasting the companies money. Awareness is the key, and I think most places became energy conscious in the '70īs. 5. If you had to give up something in order to prevent an (hypothetical) energy crisis, what would you most likely reduce first and what most certainly last? (Large vehicles, air-condition, outdated electrical equipment ...) My first reduction would be in disposable income. If it really becomes a "crisis" I would rather pay extra for the luxuries. Lower the thermostat in the winter, be stingy in the use of air conditioning, travel less, etc. Problem: The poor and the elderly canīt be "left in the dark". (I kill meĄ) The last thing I would give up is night baseball. Enough is enoughĄ 6. In case you think that something is wrong with our current energy use, whose responsibility is it to do something about it? Government, industry or the people? Everyone in their own way. Government can provide incentives, industry produces the answers, as the people supply the demand. Iīd treat you to some more true wisdom, but I donīt have the energy. Iīve got just enough gas left to make poop. I go bye-bye.

Read all comments (19)|Write your own comment

Write an essay on this topic.