oilsands's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/136262/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/177391-top-10-emerging-green-trends-of-2009?source=feed#comment-799998 799998
Major corporate involvement is certainly crucial to the rapid conversion of our energy system and savings through increased efficiency. Government grants attract the attention of corporations, large and small. Seems to me that is what we need.

Cheap, clean energy is key to our survival. Key to providing jobs for the next generation. Key to helping American corporations prosper.

We can't afford to keep importing oil. Coal has many problems including fouling water which people need to live. Mountain top removal has made the properties people have cherished for generations virtually uninhabitable. This makes the price too high. Someday we will have to pay to clean up the mess and then the real cost of coal will be apparent. ]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:17:41 -0500
Major corporate involvement is certainly crucial to the rapid conversion of our energy system and savings through increased efficiency. Government grants attract the attention of corporations, large and small. Seems to me that is what we need.

Cheap, clean energy is key to our survival. Key to providing jobs for the next generation. Key to helping American corporations prosper.

We can't afford to keep importing oil. Coal has many problems including fouling water which people need to live. Mountain top removal has made the properties people have cherished for generations virtually uninhabitable. This makes the price too high. Someday we will have to pay to clean up the mess and then the real cost of coal will be apparent. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176347-wall-street-breakfast-must-know-news?source=feed#comment-788814 788814
Tinkering with our banking system ain't gonna do it. ]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:07:02 -0500
Tinkering with our banking system ain't gonna do it. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/176101-5-high-yield-canadian-royalty-trusts?source=feed#comment-786478 786478 Overall, the growth of share prices long term will be substantial when the price of gasoline rises courtesy of the falling USD and increased demand for oil in India and Asia, not to mention the increased prices from recovery of deep wells. ]]> Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:20:21 -0500 Overall, the growth of share prices long term will be substantial when the price of gasoline rises courtesy of the falling USD and increased demand for oil in India and Asia, not to mention the increased prices from recovery of deep wells. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174278-china-s-solar-industry-outshines-the-u-s?source=feed#comment-769165 769165 My deepest concerns have been covered with panache.

Keep plugging away, all. We owe it to the next generations to try to recoup some of the economic advantage which has been frittered away.

We are succeeding only at one thing transferring wealth. I am thankful only that my late father and my late father-in-law, both true conservatives, did not have to see this. ]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:24:35 -0500 My deepest concerns have been covered with panache.

Keep plugging away, all. We owe it to the next generations to try to recoup some of the economic advantage which has been frittered away.

We are succeeding only at one thing transferring wealth. I am thankful only that my late father and my late father-in-law, both true conservatives, did not have to see this. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174277-the-great-geopolitical-battle-over-natural-gas-transit-routes?source=feed#comment-769015 769015 Unfortunately it will be mostly lost on our folks. Cheap energy equals jobs, but that message seems to difficult to comprehend. ]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:08:21 -0500 Unfortunately it will be mostly lost on our folks. Cheap energy equals jobs, but that message seems to difficult to comprehend. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/173687-cadmium-spent-energy?source=feed#comment-763755 763755 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:47:03 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172432-china-may-be-eying-metallurgical-coal-acquisition?source=feed#comment-753766 753766 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:18:14 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172005-loans-to-congress-the-untold-debt-story?source=feed#comment-750953 750953 Educating or children to be "good employees" when most of the jobs around won't support a family is morally wrong. They need to be trained to make their way as independent contractors.
Health care costs can be slashed without denying it to millions of Americans. But the major pharmaceuticals and many other parts of our health care for profit system don't want that to happen. Again, Congress is bought and paid for, so it will be a tough fight.
Doctor shortage? Who controls the number of doctors? Doctors.
Our system is ridiculous. All we have is a huge number of legal drug pushers. And the drugs don't even cure. Why, because the major pharma corporations have no financial incentives to use the stuff that would effect cures. The right way; the moral way, is the cost effective way. Business as usual is immoral and is bankrupting us. ]]> Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:02:28 -0500 Educating or children to be "good employees" when most of the jobs around won't support a family is morally wrong. They need to be trained to make their way as independent contractors.
Health care costs can be slashed without denying it to millions of Americans. But the major pharmaceuticals and many other parts of our health care for profit system don't want that to happen. Again, Congress is bought and paid for, so it will be a tough fight.
Doctor shortage? Who controls the number of doctors? Doctors.
Our system is ridiculous. All we have is a huge number of legal drug pushers. And the drugs don't even cure. Why, because the major pharma corporations have no financial incentives to use the stuff that would effect cures. The right way; the moral way, is the cost effective way. Business as usual is immoral and is bankrupting us. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170616-the-trouble-with-clean-coal?source=feed#comment-744258 744258 I don't understand why there isn't a huge push to make the current stacks cleaner. Technology exists.

All of this discussion, which has been helpful, points to the one simple, immutable fact. Renewables, esp. hydro, are cost effective, and do not pose the cataclysmic problems of the coal and oil choices.

Converting coal plants to natural gas would be another good step, as the support for Picken's plan to power semis with natural gas does not seem to be there yet.

Destroying water supplies and mountains is inexcusable. Right now, the water on our family's New Mexico land is worth more than the natural gas. That differential will only continue to widen.

Next year should be the year of energy choices, as much of the health care debate will be behind us. (Unfortunately, since the focus in that debate should be on prevention and better care; the savings would be enormous and pay for extended coverage.) ]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:31:29 -0500 I don't understand why there isn't a huge push to make the current stacks cleaner. Technology exists.

All of this discussion, which has been helpful, points to the one simple, immutable fact. Renewables, esp. hydro, are cost effective, and do not pose the cataclysmic problems of the coal and oil choices.

Converting coal plants to natural gas would be another good step, as the support for Picken's plan to power semis with natural gas does not seem to be there yet.

Destroying water supplies and mountains is inexcusable. Right now, the water on our family's New Mexico land is worth more than the natural gas. That differential will only continue to widen.

Next year should be the year of energy choices, as much of the health care debate will be behind us. (Unfortunately, since the focus in that debate should be on prevention and better care; the savings would be enormous and pay for extended coverage.) ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168153-investors-jostle-over-the-oil-sands-prize?source=feed#comment-727077 727077 Likewise, we do not need to destroy the planet to power our cars and computers. But all the whiners who insist on a single magic bullet to solve all problems keep denying that it is possible. I fear for the future of my grandchildren, both economically and environmentally. I also know that we can provide a much better future for them, but only over the objections of the vested interests who have no interest in the next generation.
Cheap oil is nearly gone. The price is just going up. We need to kick our addiction to petroleum for transport. Think what not buying all that Arab oil would do for our balance sheets.
Besides, the pipeline which China is having constructed from the oils sands processing plant to the port of Vancouver isn't there to provide oil to us. It is there to insure China's future supply. They don't need to own the production, only the transport.
There are hundreds of ways to beat the problem of power without buying Arab oil or despoiling the planet. Only the lazy and selfish deny that. My wife and I are happy to receive our oil checks, and have no fear that they will still arrive when we use natural gas, wind, solar, and hydro for energy we need. The value of oil for producing products will always be high; we do not need to burn it up. ]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:19:30 -0400 Likewise, we do not need to destroy the planet to power our cars and computers. But all the whiners who insist on a single magic bullet to solve all problems keep denying that it is possible. I fear for the future of my grandchildren, both economically and environmentally. I also know that we can provide a much better future for them, but only over the objections of the vested interests who have no interest in the next generation.
Cheap oil is nearly gone. The price is just going up. We need to kick our addiction to petroleum for transport. Think what not buying all that Arab oil would do for our balance sheets.
Besides, the pipeline which China is having constructed from the oils sands processing plant to the port of Vancouver isn't there to provide oil to us. It is there to insure China's future supply. They don't need to own the production, only the transport.
There are hundreds of ways to beat the problem of power without buying Arab oil or despoiling the planet. Only the lazy and selfish deny that. My wife and I are happy to receive our oil checks, and have no fear that they will still arrive when we use natural gas, wind, solar, and hydro for energy we need. The value of oil for producing products will always be high; we do not need to burn it up. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/164208-fdic-a-new-concern-for-bank-liquidity?source=feed#comment-698641 698641 Kirby, I appreciate your info, but after carefully rereading the article, I do not see how your comment invalidates or even seriously challanges what the author stated. ]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:25:14 -0400 Kirby, I appreciate your info, but after carefully rereading the article, I do not see how your comment invalidates or even seriously challanges what the author stated. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/161966-the-economic-impact-of-the-g20-ending-oil-subsidies?source=feed#comment-695488 695488 There is no silver bullet; the success of our transition depends upon multiple sources. But continued dependence upon oil is poison. I received both oil and natural gas money, but the future of our country is way more important.
We must stop putting a millstone (incredible debt levels) around the necks of our grandchildren. Business as usual will turn this country into a second rate power and lead to a much lower standard living. The military can not save us from our own folly.
Disclosure: long oil and gas and royalties in both. ]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:52:05 -0400 There is no silver bullet; the success of our transition depends upon multiple sources. But continued dependence upon oil is poison. I received both oil and natural gas money, but the future of our country is way more important.
We must stop putting a millstone (incredible debt levels) around the necks of our grandchildren. Business as usual will turn this country into a second rate power and lead to a much lower standard living. The military can not save us from our own folly.
Disclosure: long oil and gas and royalties in both. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/162881-picking-solar-energy-winners?source=feed#comment-695361 695361 You might also look at the subsidies for various forms of transportation before you draw conclusions about prices.
Technology already exists to stop bankrupting ourselves importing oil.
The lack of alternative energies use is determined more by lobbying than by what is cost justified. The bottom line of mega corporation campaign contributions is the determinant, not what is cost effective.
The upgrade of transmission is another major component of any approach, but it is rarely discussed. ]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:03:04 -0400 You might also look at the subsidies for various forms of transportation before you draw conclusions about prices.
Technology already exists to stop bankrupting ourselves importing oil.
The lack of alternative energies use is determined more by lobbying than by what is cost justified. The bottom line of mega corporation campaign contributions is the determinant, not what is cost effective.
The upgrade of transmission is another major component of any approach, but it is rarely discussed. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/162581-offshore-wind-europe-now-u-s-when?source=feed#comment-694903 694903 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:54:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/162873-natural-gas-an-energy-resource-whose-time-has-come?source=feed#comment-694872 694872 The 15% tax withheld turns into a tax credit, i.e., it offsets US taxes dollar for dollar. The 15% credit is not a deduction, but a tax credit. I have owned Can Royals for years and to my knowledge, that is the only tax which affects Americans as of this time. The whole issue is subject to re-negogiation at any time, just as are any taxes. It is also an investment risk. If you expect the price of oil to permanently skyrocket in four to six years, as I do, then the risk seems worthwhile.

A. Palmer is right, "whatever it takes to get us off middle eastern oil. "
Worrying about relative costs of alternative energies is silly when we are bankrupting ourselves buying foreign oil. Besides, as earlier commentators have mentioned, the subsidy on oil in both tax write-offs and defense is probably over $3.50 per gallon. AND we have abundant coal and natural gas. The clean fuel concern can be solved by coal gasification, which seems to be totally overlooked. We need to convert to renewable energies, but the latter would solve a lot of interim problems. Germany has been using coal gasification for some time. ]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:47:20 -0400 The 15% tax withheld turns into a tax credit, i.e., it offsets US taxes dollar for dollar. The 15% credit is not a deduction, but a tax credit. I have owned Can Royals for years and to my knowledge, that is the only tax which affects Americans as of this time. The whole issue is subject to re-negogiation at any time, just as are any taxes. It is also an investment risk. If you expect the price of oil to permanently skyrocket in four to six years, as I do, then the risk seems worthwhile.

A. Palmer is right, "whatever it takes to get us off middle eastern oil. "
Worrying about relative costs of alternative energies is silly when we are bankrupting ourselves buying foreign oil. Besides, as earlier commentators have mentioned, the subsidy on oil in both tax write-offs and defense is probably over $3.50 per gallon. AND we have abundant coal and natural gas. The clean fuel concern can be solved by coal gasification, which seems to be totally overlooked. We need to convert to renewable energies, but the latter would solve a lot of interim problems. Germany has been using coal gasification for some time. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/161675-mercedes-hundreds-of-thousands-of-hydrogen-cars-coming?source=feed#comment-678982 678982 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:35:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/161309-asian-solar-names-to-raise-guidance-for-q3-q4?source=feed#comment-675729 675729 Thanks]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:42:57 -0400 Thanks]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/160282-tiber-oilfield-spells-major-upside-for-prices?source=feed#comment-666470 666470 Among the many fine comments Kiwichick's are worth noting. Kiwichick, you did overlook one Chinese move to provide oil for its needs, the activity in Africa. While China is pursuing a coherent policy to insure its future supplies, it also is working on making oil much less of a vulnerability by actually building alternate energy sources. Sounds like a plan. Maybe we should take note.
The bottom line is that oil is going to become very expensive, sooner rather than later. ]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:21:28 -0400 Among the many fine comments Kiwichick's are worth noting. Kiwichick, you did overlook one Chinese move to provide oil for its needs, the activity in Africa. While China is pursuing a coherent policy to insure its future supplies, it also is working on making oil much less of a vulnerability by actually building alternate energy sources. Sounds like a plan. Maybe we should take note.
The bottom line is that oil is going to become very expensive, sooner rather than later. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159957-postal-service-set-to-lead-the-way-in-deploying-electric-fleet?source=feed#comment-662028 662028 For the record, the USPS is not government; they are run as a business. I believe it was Richard Nixon who started us down that road. However, it is a national resource and using it for a proving ground is a great idea. I believe that the thorough record keeping of the USPS will enable evaluation of the batteries b;y manufacturer.
jerrydd is right about the assumptions. Oil is going up, probably dramatically. The main thing is that there will be a test. We don't really need to justify testing on an economic basis within the USPS, the larger application makes it a great idea. ]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:48:13 -0400 For the record, the USPS is not government; they are run as a business. I believe it was Richard Nixon who started us down that road. However, it is a national resource and using it for a proving ground is a great idea. I believe that the thorough record keeping of the USPS will enable evaluation of the batteries b;y manufacturer.
jerrydd is right about the assumptions. Oil is going up, probably dramatically. The main thing is that there will be a test. We don't really need to justify testing on an economic basis within the USPS, the larger application makes it a great idea. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159881-oil-sands-keep-on-trucking?source=feed#comment-661905 661905 Trippleback, oils sands produce OIL. That is not an alternative fuel.
Apparently, most of the folks who have commented are unaware that a plant producing oil has been in operation for some time. And yes, it is a very expensive, very wasteful operation. It also decreases or dependence on the middle east. Comparing oil to other forms of energy is usually done while ignoring the enormous tax subsidies given to BP, Exxon, et al. Take those away and the price at the pump suddenly makes other approaches sensible. The quickest and easiest is natural gas, already in use by UPS and I believe taxi fleets and other fleets.
Mark Bern, the argument about environmental policy under Obama is a bit premature. He will be busy for some time trying to keep the nation from collapsing. Importing oil like there is no tomorrow was a major facet in our present crisis. As to moonbeams, a rural school district in Illinois bought and put up a wind generator because it is making money for them. We can't afford not to harness the free energy around us. ]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:56:04 -0400 Trippleback, oils sands produce OIL. That is not an alternative fuel.
Apparently, most of the folks who have commented are unaware that a plant producing oil has been in operation for some time. And yes, it is a very expensive, very wasteful operation. It also decreases or dependence on the middle east. Comparing oil to other forms of energy is usually done while ignoring the enormous tax subsidies given to BP, Exxon, et al. Take those away and the price at the pump suddenly makes other approaches sensible. The quickest and easiest is natural gas, already in use by UPS and I believe taxi fleets and other fleets.
Mark Bern, the argument about environmental policy under Obama is a bit premature. He will be busy for some time trying to keep the nation from collapsing. Importing oil like there is no tomorrow was a major facet in our present crisis. As to moonbeams, a rural school district in Illinois bought and put up a wind generator because it is making money for them. We can't afford not to harness the free energy around us. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159931-brazil-s-new-oil-wealth-three-etfs-to-watch?source=feed#comment-661811 661811 I'm not even sure what Gravity404 is trying to say about green. Hydro is green. They are successful with the ethanol; it enables them to export rather than import oil. Yes there are better solutions, but they accomplished a major coup by doing what they did. Their solution is not ours in detail, but we have numerous ways to use existing technology to reduce our oil imports; to stop eroding our dollar.
If we quit giving tax subsidies to oil companies, the true cost of gasoline would speed up the transition toward alternatives. Converting engines to natural gas, starting with truck fleets is a sensible solution. UPS began doing it years ago because it made financial sense.
And no we can not drill our way out of this problem. There is still worldwide competition for both equipment and trained manpower in the oil industry. Soon the price of oil will rise as the very high costs of recovery from the remaining locations are factored in.
Our weak dollar is the result of total national stupidity on so many fronts. It didn't begin last January. During the Bush administration the Canadian dollar rose from .65 US to 1.10 US.
The ridiculous belief that we can survive with a consumer economy is a large part of why we are in trouble. ]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:04:52 -0400 I'm not even sure what Gravity404 is trying to say about green. Hydro is green. They are successful with the ethanol; it enables them to export rather than import oil. Yes there are better solutions, but they accomplished a major coup by doing what they did. Their solution is not ours in detail, but we have numerous ways to use existing technology to reduce our oil imports; to stop eroding our dollar.
If we quit giving tax subsidies to oil companies, the true cost of gasoline would speed up the transition toward alternatives. Converting engines to natural gas, starting with truck fleets is a sensible solution. UPS began doing it years ago because it made financial sense.
And no we can not drill our way out of this problem. There is still worldwide competition for both equipment and trained manpower in the oil industry. Soon the price of oil will rise as the very high costs of recovery from the remaining locations are factored in.
Our weak dollar is the result of total national stupidity on so many fronts. It didn't begin last January. During the Bush administration the Canadian dollar rose from .65 US to 1.10 US.
The ridiculous belief that we can survive with a consumer economy is a large part of why we are in trouble. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159640-china-is-pulling-ahead-on-the-environment?source=feed#comment-660519 660519 Road runner, you have made good points. Chinese people work hard and save money. The irony is that there is a better climate for the small business in China than here. That alone is a condemnation of what is going on here in the USA.
The labels people use blind them to reality. Our government is also a seat of corruption. Our ancestors risked a great deal to come here and fought for the right to criticize and change governments.
The Chinese government has many challenges ahead of it. Local corruption is one of the worst. As people there gain access to the internet and information, there will be increased pressure to counteract this problem, among others.
I find it disheartening that we are dragging our feet on moving to alternate energies, making ourselves energy independent, and ending our support of people in the middle east who hate us. ]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:09:11 -0400 Road runner, you have made good points. Chinese people work hard and save money. The irony is that there is a better climate for the small business in China than here. That alone is a condemnation of what is going on here in the USA.
The labels people use blind them to reality. Our government is also a seat of corruption. Our ancestors risked a great deal to come here and fought for the right to criticize and change governments.
The Chinese government has many challenges ahead of it. Local corruption is one of the worst. As people there gain access to the internet and information, there will be increased pressure to counteract this problem, among others.
I find it disheartening that we are dragging our feet on moving to alternate energies, making ourselves energy independent, and ending our support of people in the middle east who hate us. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/159671-wood-energy-the-new-renewable?source=feed#comment-660449 660449 Natural gas has the possibility of weaning us from oil while we develop other sources. The wholesale infrastructure is already in place and converting vehicles and power plants is not expensive or difficult. And it would create jobs. The money saved by not importing oil will pay for the changes needed for various approaches.
Glad to see mention of transmission efficiencies as crucial to the changeover to a non-oil based economy. Various technologies already exists to make numerous improvements. We have unlimited clean energy supplies in hydro, tidal, wind, geothermal, biomass, et al. The roadblocks are political resistance and general ignorance. ]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:21:28 -0400 Natural gas has the possibility of weaning us from oil while we develop other sources. The wholesale infrastructure is already in place and converting vehicles and power plants is not expensive or difficult. And it would create jobs. The money saved by not importing oil will pay for the changes needed for various approaches.
Glad to see mention of transmission efficiencies as crucial to the changeover to a non-oil based economy. Various technologies already exists to make numerous improvements. We have unlimited clean energy supplies in hydro, tidal, wind, geothermal, biomass, et al. The roadblocks are political resistance and general ignorance. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/158300-allegiant-travel-swine-flu-is-not-a-threat?source=feed#comment-648180 648180 Good luck.]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:22:05 -0400 Good luck.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/157560-whole-foods-stock-is-as-pricey-as-company-s-wares?source=feed#comment-640967 640967 Thanks,]]> Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:25:17 -0400 Thanks,]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/156894-closing-update-for-tuesday-august-18-some-recouping?source=feed#comment-636570 636570 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:50:02 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/156675-oil-production-brazil-making-the-wisest-choice-of-all?source=feed#comment-635081 635081 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:16:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/156220-chinese-stocks-break-below-50-dma?source=feed#comment-631003 631003 The notable figure in that chart for me is the strength of consumer discretionary. Movement toward a larger consumer role in China is significant, if that is what we are seeing.
My favorite, for a long time, has been EHouse (EJ). So I hope James Lewis is right about money moving from the stock market toward property.
Thanks to Mad Hedge Fund and Suzanne for incisive comments.
We are fortunate that there are now multiple, specialized shipping indices, rather than just the over-reactive one-size-fits-all BDI.]]> Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:46:28 -0400 The notable figure in that chart for me is the strength of consumer discretionary. Movement toward a larger consumer role in China is significant, if that is what we are seeing.
My favorite, for a long time, has been EHouse (EJ). So I hope James Lewis is right about money moving from the stock market toward property.
Thanks to Mad Hedge Fund and Suzanne for incisive comments.
We are fortunate that there are now multiple, specialized shipping indices, rather than just the over-reactive one-size-fits-all BDI.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/155875-why-the-electric-car-mileage-debate-is-meaningless?source=feed#comment-628196 628196 Tzvika 18 makes a very important point about the difference in cost for charging at night versus during the day.
As to infrastructure costs, every form of transportation in this country has been heavily subsidized, from rail to automotive, to barge, to air. There are lots of ways to introduce electric transport. Selling fleets to compete with the natural gas engines used in citites by corporations like UPS is one.
People talk about this subject as if we are in a vacuum, forgetting that we are bankrupting this country and enriching those who hate us by importing oil from the Middle East, Africa, and Russia.
Not bankrupting our country while creating new jobs here in America is worth some subsidy. Developing new industries here is cheaper than sending troops to the Middle East to do the bidding of major oil companies and the King of Saudi Arabia.
Most of the commenters above just illustrate our lack of information and overall planning. Another important need is cheap and frequent public transport. This is possible without expensive construction or new technology. However, the well heeled lobbying of various industries makes an obvious and easy solution, difficult. I find it strange that no one has mentioned Harley Davidson or Vespas as an alternative to using the larger, more expensive automobiles, whatever their power. ]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:51:01 -0400 Tzvika 18 makes a very important point about the difference in cost for charging at night versus during the day.
As to infrastructure costs, every form of transportation in this country has been heavily subsidized, from rail to automotive, to barge, to air. There are lots of ways to introduce electric transport. Selling fleets to compete with the natural gas engines used in citites by corporations like UPS is one.
People talk about this subject as if we are in a vacuum, forgetting that we are bankrupting this country and enriching those who hate us by importing oil from the Middle East, Africa, and Russia.
Not bankrupting our country while creating new jobs here in America is worth some subsidy. Developing new industries here is cheaper than sending troops to the Middle East to do the bidding of major oil companies and the King of Saudi Arabia.
Most of the commenters above just illustrate our lack of information and overall planning. Another important need is cheap and frequent public transport. This is possible without expensive construction or new technology. However, the well heeled lobbying of various industries makes an obvious and easy solution, difficult. I find it strange that no one has mentioned Harley Davidson or Vespas as an alternative to using the larger, more expensive automobiles, whatever their power. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/154891-emergent-biosolutions-little-risk-potentially-huge-reward?source=feed#comment-623504 623504 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:57:08 -0400