Jim Kingsdale

Keeping Alternate Energy In Perspective

First, the problem is not where energy comes from. The problem is that we use petroleum to power transportation and we much transition that to electicity.

Second, the greatest new source of savings in electricity in the short term is conservation. For example, if we changed out all the light bulbs to CFL's or, better, LED's (which are not quite here yet on a competitive price basis but soon will be), we could save about 15% of all the electricity now used. That is huge.

Third, it's been estimated that we could power some 80% of cars with electricity just by using hybrid efficiencies and, more important, by refueling during nightime off-peak load periods when there is plenty of spare electrical capacity.

The focus on sources of energy is not getting us anywhere. We need to focus on transforming our transportation system to electricity. In my humble opinion, of course.