Energy Independence NOW!

With gas approaching the $5.00/gallon faster than anyone expected, and the Iranian Government thinking that they can wreck the US economy and thereby take the US down where it is unable to do that militarily, the lack of action by the US government should be a topic of discussion by any concerned citizen. The US Government and "We the People" that elected them have wasted the last 35 years from the 1973 "First Oil Embargo" oil shock when we should have been looking for solutions like we did during the 1960's "Space Race" to the moon. On May 25, 1961, JFK galvanized the country by his mandate to "...before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.".

It appears, We lack the moral fortitude and integrity to come together as a nation and solve this very dangerous, and possibly "life style ending" problem. Never before has the US faced a problem that so completely impacts all aspects of our life and national well-being. Energy is at the heart of our economy and standing. However, we not only face the problem of being oil-addicted, but we are being beset by both "enemies both foreign and domestic". Is there a solution? Of course, but it will take some very heavy sacrifice and unity: without either, the US is destined to become another 3rd world country.

First, we have to admit that we as a country must become energy independent. As a systems engineer, I am not going to argue to merits of drilling, alternative energies, green-power, etc. These discussions are fruitless in reaching our goal of becoming EI: energy independent. We are past the point of partisanship or environmental agendas. If we don't become EI then it will not matter which party is in power nor will it matter if everyone goes green: the US will not be around to impact anyone with anything.

The only way for the political parties to continue or the green movement to continue is for the US to continue! It's that simple, and it's that powerful. We have to put away our divisions and realize that neither the Dems or Repubs, conservatives or liberals, energy-friendly or eco-friendly will be around to push any of their agendas. We are on the Titanic, folks, and it matters not if the right side or the left side is the correct side: the ship is going down! Both sides will soon be under water if we don't get the guts to act and act right.

My next few blogs will begin to lay out a solution to the EI problem we now face. It can be done and it can begin to show IMMEDIATE results, not 5-10 years in the future, but like right now. Here is a short lists of the topics that we can begin to start implementing:

1. The Congress must pass a comprehensive EI bill that uses EVERYTHING in our energy arsenal: drilling, clean coal, nuclear, conservation, innovation and alternative energies that are energy creating, not energy wasting.

2. Conservation: the quickest way to impact our current situation and send a message to OPEC that will produce immediate results in the price of oil

3. Drilling & exploration: it is the height of hypocrisy to ask the OPEC nations to supply more when we are unwilling to do the same here at home

4. Nuclear: the ultimate eco-friendly energy source now that the twin problems of nuclear accidents and waste by-products have been solved.

5. Clean coal: we have 3X the amount of energy in coal that currently exists in all the oil fields of the world; we simply need to innovate its use to be more eco-friendly.

6. Innovation: fuel cells are the ultimate solution to our transportation problems while HESC (high-efficiency solar conversation) cells is the ultimate solution to our electrical energy problems. If we can send a motorized rover to Mars and control its actions, we can develop both of these technologies within 10 years. Via la JFK!

7. Energy smart, not energy stupid: develop only sources of energy that create MORE energy then is expended to produce the energy source. Solar, wind, and hydro-electric are and can be energy smart; current bio-fuels are energy stupid since they require more oil-based energy to create then they produce. Be smart, not PC!

Come back over the next few weeks as we lay out these solutions in detail as to how they can solve this pressing and current danger to the USA.

Nanouk