argus

Plugin hybrids + new nuclear power plants = a new economic chapter for America

Am I just naive in thinking that this seems like such an obvious solution to our current state of affairs? I just posted the following comment on a randomly-stumbled-upon article:

Immediate problem(s): - dependence on oil causes dependency on countries that we would -ahem- prefer to not be dependent on - mass rollover to an alternative fuel source involves enough risk and infrastructure expenditures that those entities who could best make it happen (large car companies, oil companies) are still financially better off maintaining the status quo - the “we’re destroying the planet” meme - reference earlier comments about the moonbats sleeping better, etc.

In terms of addressing the first issue, which I frankly believe is the most pressing (and presuming drilling on our *own* oil fields is ruled out — thanks, moonbats!): [Step 1] plugin hybrids. Just like current hybrids (burn regular gasoline, but use battery-based electric drive when feasible), but with a power cable coming out from under the hood (or wherever) that you can plug into a standard wall jack. Current technology — e.g. kits that you can buy *right now* to mod your Prius — will get you around 40-60 miles of electric-only driving after a 6-8 hour charge session. And if the battery runs out, it’s still a hybrid: fall back on that evil ICE to get you wherever your going …at which point you plug in again.

[Step 2] “But we’re just relocating fuel consumption!!!!1oneone” Well, yes. But that’s *good* — as there are more options for alternative power plants than there are for alternative automotive power sources: nuclear, wind, hydro, etc. Sure, we’ve moved energy production “upstream”, but now we can replace the nasty coal-fired plant “upstream” with, say, a nuke plant. Or build a new dam and harness the hydro power. The point is you have options when power production is centralized that aren’t options on an individual vehicle basis. There’s still a big infrastructure transition cost, but the transition serves multiple concerns/markets since the new plant serves power to everyone, not just cars, making it far more likely to be funded (since more parties will be interested, more parties will pony up the $).

Will this happen? Plugin hybrids are inevitable — consumers will demand them. Overhauling our ancient, uber-polluting centralized power plants? I doubt it. It’s an “out of sight” problem, so people won’t get as fired up as they would about their plugins. Plus, even proposing the best option - nuclear - sends the wild-eyed greenie Left into a foaming fit …even more so than usual.

If we could pull off a one-two punch as I’ve described, I think we’d be well on our way towards much better things — the freedom from the oil cartels would reshape world politics and finances in a *good* way. I don’t think it’ll happen, but I’m a pessimist. But we must try. We *must*.

“We do not inherit the world from our parents - we borrow it from our children.”

Am I off my rocker?

This entry was posted on Monday, October 23rd, 2006 at 2:59:31 am and is filed under Foam, Commentary, Political. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.