Alternative Energy 

The development of alternative energy sources and the switching of energy usage from fossil fuels should be the headline program of the federal government much like the Man on the Moon program was in the 1960s. The goal should be complete energy independence in 10 years.  Reducing pollution and greenhouse gasses should be a companion effort.

We must establish a blue ribbon panel, perhaps jointly selected by the Congress and the President, to study all alternative energy sources and conservation methods.  It must be immune from all corporate pressures.  That panel should issue an initial set of guidance within a year to be acted upon by Congress.  The panel should remain in business to follow progress and to investigate any new alternatives, breakthroughs in technology, or roadblocks encountered. It should report back to Congress on a yearly or more frequent schedule. 

The government should fund promising technology development uncovered by the panel.

Several alternatives appear to be sure bets and should be supported now.  Ethanol is one of those.  Groups of farmers in Iowa have built ethanol plants.   They have been financially successful and are being expanded.  The same should be done in Ohio.  But, we must support research to develop other sources than corn for ethanol.  The US government should look at ways to speed up these developments.  Bio diesel, wind and solar (particularly passive) also appear to be mature enough for expanded implementation. 

We have massive coal reserves.  Coal liquification and gasification pilot plants are currently in operation.  The production of these fuels and their use is reported to be environmentally safe and involve no increase in greenhouse gases compared to current oil use.  Government support or guarantee of this development will likely be required because it can be economically undercut by oil interests when it threatens the oil market.

New nuclear processes involving more electricity production and less radioactive waste are being researched.

To produce independence in the short term, we will need to increase domestic oil production.  With hurricane Katrina, many oil drilling platforms were damaged, but there were no oil spills.  This indicates that environmental risks are low.  Drilling in the newly discovered reserves in the gulf appears to be the best alternative for new domestic sources of oil.  If more is needed,  I will not oppose environmentally responsible drilling for oil in the artic as a stopgap measure. 

We must have a concerted program for reducing energy use.  It should include a substantial increase in CAFE mileage figures.

How about a 150 to 200 mpg vehicle?  We need the OPPIH (One Person Plug In Hybrid). People drive to work alone. So build a vehicle that carries one person - less weight, less energy. We should be looking for 150 to 200 mpg.  Give the buyer the option of size of battery pack to to match his commute.
Could dispense with the gasoline ( bio diesel, ethanol) engine for the OPPIE (One Person Plug In Electric). Or make the gasoline engine a lift/slide out to be used only for longer trips - the OPPIE/H.  Probably a three wheeler (2 front) with built in safety (Indy car type technology maybe).  P.S. Sell it for $7000 or less.  More ...

For the longer term, we should develop new concepts of transportation.  We need to promote the most energy efficient forms of transportation.  I envision a system of one or two person (probably electric) vehicles tied into a high speed interurban transport (monorail using interstate medians) system. The system would own the vehicles and individuals would pay by the hours of use and mileage. No vehicle would be assigned to a specific person. A person might drive the vehicle to a public transit stop; leave it; drive away from another stop in another vehicle.