Restoring the U.S. battery production capability. Most battery production facilities are in China and Japan. The U.S. must rebuild its local battery production industry for the batteries that will power the 21 century vehicles. Special government incentives should be designed. The electric battery car is the (very near) future and will be for most of the 21 century. It is one of the critical industries that must stay/return “home”.
Battery patents. The development of new generation of batteries has been slowed down considerably because of patent disputes. We need special legislation that will allow for faster resolution of battery related patent disputes. We cannot pretend that we can “continue as usual”. Certain critical technologies that are essential to our energy policy should receive special legal procedure so they can be implemented much faster.
Rare Materials. Part of our energy policy, defense policy and foreign policy should make sure that we have access to the rare materials that will be required for our transition away from oil. We are already running into battery production bottlenecks because of shortages of rare materials. It is already delaying the transition to plug-in hybrids and electrical cars.
Eliminate Oil influence on public opinion and public policy. Oil producing countries (many of which wish us harm) and to certain extent oil companies have a clear interest to maintain our addiction to oil. They have been using their financial resources to influence both public opinion and our legislature, to move in directions that will prevent us from eliminating our dependency on oil. We should find ways to stop these activities. It will require specific legislation and strength of character from our president. A sad example of such influence was the recent public campaign against bio-fuels that was largely financed by oil interests. Did they violate the law?
Create an international consumer cartel. Fight suppliers’ cartel (OPEC) with consumers’ cartel (OPIC). The effect will be reduced prices.
What are the smaller things, perhaps, that are very effective and could be pushed in a bi-partisan way? -> from “The Health of US Energy Policy,” a briefing on Capitol… Read more »
A: “Something we started two years ago in the city of Berkeley – of 100,00 people – was to loan money to property owners so they can then install energy… Read more »
A: “The first is, we need what folks have been calling a Green Bank, there’s versions of it called an Clean Energy Development Administration in the Senate and the Waxman-Markey… Read more »
There is quite of bit of new, clean energy technology that is stalled. It has been proven in the lab and has attractive economics, but final commercialization at large scale… Read more »
A: “The first thing I think is most important to get done is the Open Fuel Standards Act. This is a bi-partisan bill in both the House and Senate. If… Read more »
We should pass HR 1476 and corresponding legislation in the Senate. Requiring that every new vehicle sold in the United States be flex fuel, capable of running on any combination… Read more »
The ten most efficient states in the US used only 7,774 kWh per capita in 2005, compared to 13,947 kWh per capita for the 40 least efficient states. The efficient… Read more »
The smallest action that is required is to split the energy policy discussions into two: electricity and transportation. There is no overlap between these two energy uses but for some… Read more »
Your reply suggests that there is a conflict between electricity generation and electrification of transportation (e.g. your “blackout” comment). That is not the case. Indeed, these two are highly synergistic,… Read more »
Whatever happens to legislative bills in the bushes, Congress should approve a number of bipartisan bills at hand H.R. 2600, H.R. 4399, H.R. 3367/S. 2854, and H.R. 1476/S. 835. Of… Read more »
Bills HR 2600, HR3337/S 2854, hr 1476/S835 AND HR 4399. These bills appear to be OK as far as they go, but need to be part of an overall integrated… Read more »
PTO should “fast track” patents related to energy efficiency/renewable energy/green utility standards/green cars….
Gary Vesperman asked me to add my comments. I’m very surprised that Gary Vesperman, of all people, hasn’t addressed the elephant in the room. He is one of the few… Read more »