Reading that link a comment mentioned the paltry investments made in alt. energy by oil relative to their profits. Its always in the accounting isn't it. Thing is, They're not mandated to develope it? Just don't do anything criminal to slow it. We can talk ideology, philosphy and approach but until you dive down and look at the moving target calculus we're just hovering above answers.
In the first quarter of 2005, the cost of a gallon of gas climbed to the highest price ever. In that same period ExxonMobil, the behemoth global oil company, surged forward as the largest and most profitable corporation in the world valued at more than $402 billion on Feb. 28th. The American public funded this success through military operations to secure the oil and in turn, pay for the success with higher and higher prices at the pumps. While America politicians and businesses clamor over the dwindling global oil reserves, other countries are taking necessary actions to replace oil as their principle energy source. Germany and France have both implemented successful alternative energy programs, dramatically reducing their dependency on oil, and oil rich countries. This is perhaps one of the principle reasons why their governments are labeled as uncaring towards Americaâs political predicament with foreign oil. While America spends billions to secure oil resources with their military, Germany and France pour their wealth into expanding their alternative energy programs. Itâs a race that America is losing. Politically, the American blight in the Middle East is of great advantage to countries in support of renewable energy, because these countries are getting a head start on the global race towards the technological development of more efficient renewable energy systems. Billions spent on preservation of the status quo of the OPEC nations assures France and Germany oil for the immediate future. At the same time, the money saved from opting out of participation in the Coalition can be used to build many alternative energy resources and research new methods of securing renewable energy. Well-orchestrated protests against American involvement in Iraq and other Middle East countries endears Canada, France and Germany to the world. "Implementing alternative energy requires us to be motivated; as we know it's much easier to simply hook into the 'grid'." -- David Suzuki Why is America so dependent on oil and unwilling to seriously turn to alternative energies to gain freedom from OPECâs shackles? A principle reason is the naivety regarding possible options of renewable energy, coupled with the distorted way big oil and their hoard of PR people compare the cost of oil against the cost of other energy sources. The cost of a barrel of oil is used to determine its kilowatt/hour cost. That price is stripped clean of the billions spent each year for securing the oil. The barrel price only reflects OPECâs asking price. Not considered in the kilowatt/hour cost is the tax money spent on military mobilization to assure the resources of companies like ExxonMobil reach American shores. The death of American soldiers and their overwhelming sacrifices to keep oil flowing, to power America, or to squander on SUVâs and ATVâs, is never considered as a part of the oil cost in the corporate offices of the energy titans. Full story here: http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/article1.html
Haven't read the link yet but will. France and Germany rely hugely on natural gas and have the advantage of proximity to the former Soviet Union countries and its natural sources. There was a thing about building pipeline and missles positioned in Poland as saber rattling in response to it ...lost track of how that ended up. Then theres the point about taxpayer funded military doing big oils bidding and dying. The ques. you have to ask first, was the military intervention necessary to continue the free flow and if it was who's going to do it ...Blackwater? And if big oil did spring for cost it'd be in the price of petroleum. Then you also have to ask, where are their profits going? If they're paying their execs outrageous bonuses ala wall st. then objections are justified. Their mandate ought to be as the peoples custodians of energy, and reinvestment of profit should be towards alt energy or we nationalize them ...no hiding behind Freedom. If their profit is returned to ripple in the American economy then big oil operates at the service of America. All the aforementioned's legitimacy pending the audit.
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There probably already are tinkerers in garages working on it and some have succeeded but its all about cost. My perception on research is, just because you desperately want to build a time machine doesn't mean nature and physics will cooperate. See Reagan's Star Wars program.
Locally manufactured alcohol through community co-op fuel stations! http://alcoholcanbeagas.com/ First FORD cars in America ran on alcohol.....NOT gas!
any chance the republicans might stop giving oil companies subsidies and use it for research for alt energy? no. Barton: Govt Subsidies Necessary To Keep Exxon From Going Out Of Business "Barton argued that the subsidies represent equal treatment, and are required to keep the companies like Exxon-Mobil from going out of business."Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...-exxon-from-going-out-of-business.php?ref=fpb
Other than the brain impaired right wingers...is there anyone who would explain why welfare for the oil companies, if rescinded...would put them out of business? http://climateprogress.org/2009/05/...sh-years-but-invested-bupkis-in-clean-energy/
Exxon Roars To Record In Oil Slump Annual Profit Soars Despite Slip in Quarter While posting a $45.2 billion in annual profits, Exxon Mobil suffered a sharp drop in fourth-quarter profits from producing oil and gas. While posting a $45.2 billion in annual profits, Exxon Mobil suffered a sharp drop in fourth-quarter profits from producing oil and gas. (By J. Scott Applewhite -- Associated Press) By Steven Mufson Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, January 31, 2009 Exxon Mobil finished a roller-coaster year in the oil markets with an all-time record $45.2 billion in profits, despite fourth-quarter earnings that were a third lower than the same period a year before. With oil prices slumping, Exxon Mobil suffered a sharp drop in profits from producing oil and gas but higher profit margins at refueling pumps and refineries overseas helped offset the impact of lower crude prices. The world's most far-flung oil giant broke its own record for corporate profits in a year that saw oil prices climb to $147 a barrel in July then plunge to less than $40 a barrel. Despite falling prices, Exxon Mobil still beat analysts' expectations by registering $7.82 billion in profits, or $1.55 a share, for the final quarter of the year. Exxon Mobil and Chevron's revenue combined for 2008 exceeded the gross domestic product of all but 16 of the world's nations, according to Bloomberg.