Yeah ... As Oil Production FALLS, Prices go UP, fueling a "Boom" in Exploration and Extraction ...

But it will be (historically) short-lived ...

Apr 19, 2012 -- 12:17AM, MMarcoe wrote:

Petroleum picked a good decade to go out with a bang. Production is up in the US and will be for a few years yet as we transition. Perhaps all will be well for us, and we won't need to invade Venezuela for more oil.

 

Apr 19, 2012 -- 9:00AM, Hatman wrote:

Anyone remember D'ohbama's promises in re: "clean" coal and other alternative techs? Gee, nearly 4 years and nuthin' but failed companies to show for it. His whole premise is laughable, given that alternative fuels and methodologies for the mass-production thereof have existed for well over 120 years; his butt-buddies in the corporatocracies no doubt instructed him to spew that conciliatory/obfuscatory nonsense in order to continue to deceive the People into believing that the energy giants of today will joyfully relinquish their strangleholds on the throats of Americans.

The problem with our transitioning to alternative forms of energy is caught up in the links of government to the corporate world.  This is seen in the actions.

As opposed to stimulating demand for alternative energy products by providing loans and incentives to consummers, [to date: 25 Billion in loans ear marked for alternative energy], the administration made those loans exclusive to corporate interests, like Solyndra and Ford, and other companies seeking to bring alternatives to market.

This is the crux of the problem.  Our Government is stuck on stupid with regards to "how" to implement a change. They are pumping billions into worthless wind and solar farms, that operate at a mere fraction of their alleged capacity. As you noted .. it is a corporate approach.  BUT .. You don't implement the change by providing the product .. you implement the change by facilitating DEMAND ... the Venture Capitalists will take care of bringing the product to market.

If I were prez ... I'd set that 25 Billion aside as a long term tax credit, to be taken over 10 years, to cover 75% .. or even 100% of the cost of putting solar or a windmill [if applicable] on your House or in your Yard.  I'd also make it such that if you go and put a solar system on someone else's house, you still can take the credit.  There would be millionaires putting solar systems on every house in America.  Then .. the Government recoups some of the cost of the credits through the income and sales taxes from the activity .. like is done on all other products.  It would take a year or so for the Venture Capitalists to sieze upon that 25 Billion in potential free money.  You could even put stipulations on it ... e.g., .. we'll give you a 50% coverage tax credit for systems manufactured overseas ... but an 80% coverage tax credit for systems manufactured here in the States. .. to stimulate job production etc here at home.

Such a setup would guarnatee the implementation of the technology, .. as opposed to just the building of factories ... and of course, the execs of those failed companies buying all kinds of cars and whatnot on the tax dime.

Currently ...you get a 30% tax deduction .. which amounts to a 6% tax credit.  Sorry Charlie . .... that ain't gonna intice anyone to buy a solar system.

Apr 19, 2012 -- 6:19PM, catboxer wrote:

Yes, that's it really. Demand for whatever-it-is gets analyzed by the companies that provide the stuff, which determines what kind of stuff and how much of it they're going to provide.

 

It really pisses me off Cat.

As much as I rail against the CAGW story, I'm a HUGE fan of solar energy.  I wanted to put a set up on my house, with the net-meter system and all ... but it was just not in the budget, and the ROI, was just not there.  It would take 30 years just to break even on it, and that's providing that there are no maintenance issues.

I've even looked into getting my own cells and building my own panels ... but .. it's still pretty expensive.

DEMAND .. that is the key.  Until our Government focuses on DEMAND, there will be no revolution to alternative energy.  You can't focus on demand, when all your attention is in the corporate world.

Apr 19, 2012 -- 10:02PM, Bodean wrote:

Apr 19, 2012 -- 6:19PM, catboxer wrote:

Yes, that's it really. Demand for whatever-it-is gets analyzed by the companies that provide the stuff, which determines what kind of stuff and how much of it they're going to provide.

 

It really pisses me off Cat.

As much as I rail against the CAGW story, I'm a HUGE fan of solar energy.  I wanted to put a set up on my house, with the net-meter system and all ... but it was just not in the budget, and the ROI, was just not there.  It would take 30 years just to break even on it, and that's providing that there are no maintenance issues.

I've even looked into getting my own cells and building my own panels ... but .. it's still pretty expensive.

DEMAND .. that is the key.  Until our Government focuses on DEMAND, there will be no revolution to alternative energy.  You can't focus on demand, when all your attention is in the corporate world.

Demand and knowledge.      and an industry that can put our trained fabricators and maintenance workers geared toward point of use.     I remember reading an interview with a solar guy heading down to a solar convention in Florida.    He said it amazed him that there was not a solar collector on every hot water heater in Florida but that less than 10% had them.   He said it was more a lack of knowledge.    I also think a great application would be for every air conditioner to be outfitted with a collector.    Las Vegas,  my goodness,   heaven knows why that entire city is not augmented with solar rather than the dwindling Lake Mead.      I wonder if the owners of the grid are protecting their energy sources like coal.      

Something is holding this industry back,   there just seems to be something fishy about it like Natural Gas going under $2.csf.      It just doesn't make sense or is going backwards rather than forward.   I know the Government is standing in the way  but there has to be something else afoot.    certainly the government has sent the money in the wrong direction but that is nothing new.   war, banks, energy.   all seem to flow somewhere and it is not point of use at this time.