The energy policy of the United States should be to foster increased competition among existing energy sources. With an abundance of energy resources in the United States, better education and communication can best serve the American people as individuals and organizations make cost-effective choices about the vehicles, technologies, and fuels available to the American marketplace.
Drilling alone will not create more competition, and in effect, keep prices in check. If there was an oil derrick over every ten acres in the United States, the oil companies would still control the amount that is pumped out of the ground and the price at which it would be sold. The oil company oligopoly faces no real competition until consumers have the choice of whether to fill up with crude oil, natural gas or electricity. The gasoline and diesel fleet is well established.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations should line the interstate highways to service the trucking fleet of the United States. Those stations would also serve the infant CNG refueling needs for automobiles. When the interstates are covered with CNG stations, then CNG stations can creep into the metro areas and the neighborhoods, similar to the crude oil stations.
I think the greatest opportunity lies with the emerging technology of wireless electricity transmission. For example, a company named WiTricity in Watertown, Massachusetts, is “working to make this future a reality, developing wireless electricity technology that will operate safely and efficiently over distances ranging from centimeters to several meters—and will deliver power ranging from milliwatts to kilowatts.” Imagine the day when American coal-powered plasma converters will deliver American-made electricity to the roadways to recharge American-made electric cars on-the-go. This recharging could take place through structures above, beside, or in the road itself. The cord for the electric car can be gone for good! This kind of vision has importance for national security policy as well as transportation and energy policy.
America has vast amounts of energy. We need true competition and the courage to use emerging technologies for the years ahead. Those who see an American decline are badly mistaken.
qcconservative 