"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message

Well, it's been shown to be more economically advantageous to let market
forces be the driving factor for the most part.

Normally, I'd agree 100%, but the auto industry needs a little nudge once in
a while. Or the consumer needs more education. You don't what your great
grandson to run out of oil just because my grandson drives a
SuperNavigator8AllTrack with the high performance package. Frankly, I like
a car with lots of goodies and power everything, but it does not have to be
huge to have those features.



When Mom gets tired of spending the $$ for the vehicle she's currently
driving she'll either quite driving so much or get a different vehicle,
or both. Government won't need to do anything except stay out of the
way.

So far we have not seen the exodus like in the 70's when the Pinto was
bringing a premium price. Maybe $3.00 is n ot high enough for people to
make a switch.


The problem is that regulation and activists have prevented
enhanced production on both the exploration and the refining side for so
long that it there hasn't been any increase in total refining capacity
in nearly 30 years (that's generalization, I'd have to go look up actual
data, but it's valid generalization).

No only that, they stand in the way of wind farms that can save energy.



More research should be done on other fuels, hybrids, solar power etc.

As if there isn't? When it becomes economically competitive other forms
will come into play. Increasing use of biofuels will ease a small
fraction in the short term...

Research proves it can be done, but more is needed to get manufacturing and
installation costs in line. With a bigger push and demands from consumers,
it may happen. So far, the public still stays away from solar not only
because of initial cost, but because they just don't know enough about it.
Home construction has improved in the past 30 years, but we have the
technology to cut energy cost in half, but people are either not aware or
are afraid to do something different. Education of the public and builders
is important but lagging. I see this every day with some of our customers.
www.polysteel.com www.integraspec.com Right now, about 4.5% of the
houses are built this way, but it can easily be more and energy efficient.

I include myself in some of this. My next car will probably get better
mileage, but I'm still leery of getting a hybrid and the potential of
expensive battery cost down the road 5 or 8 years.
Ed