ferguson

Saudis Try to Re-Invent the Internal Combustion Engine

The various points of view suggest that this question will present a supreme test for the collective intellect, pragmatism and decision making process of the Obama administration. My bet is that sound decision making in the next eight years will reverse the quagmire of the last eight.

Energy Investing: Scenarios for a Turnaround

Continuing the comment transmitted above in error.

Perhaps the best indication of what the future holds is that President Elect Obama's rating from the public on conduct of the transition to the presidency is at 80%.

My bet is that a very thoughtful, disciplined and highly competent Obama administration will steer the way through the obvious difficulties to a more secure and more sustainable future.

Energy Investing: Scenarios for a Turnaround

Good article. Good discussion. I am inclined to think that Paultaut's scenario is most likely, but the truth is that none of us knows what the future holds.

Geologist: In Terms of Supply and Demand, the Oil Peak Is Past

A fabulous array of opinions on a crucial subject. Where is the critical path to the future? 1. Recognize that preserving a long term environment for life on earth is more important than short term profit. 2. Reduce and, eventually, eliminate wasteful uses of energy. 3. Pedal to the metal on investing in solar, wind, geothermal and other forms of renewable energy. 4. Bring energy consumption down to a level that is consistent with both preserving the environment while nurturing life at a humane level. 5. Gradually creating alternatives to "the global economy" by fostering local and regional capabilities in agriculture, manufacturing, marketing, tourism and all other aspects of life. 6. Restricting the use of oil to those functions for which it may be an irreplaceable resource, such as lubrication, jet fuel and plastics. 7. Burning coal only when that can be done in a non-polluting way. 8. Relying on nuclear energy to produce electricity over a transition period (20 years?) which will be required to make the shift to renewables and then gradually eliminating nuclear power unless safety and environmental concerns have been eliminated.