Comments on: 12 Steps to Get U.S. Off Oil http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/ The Understory is the official blog of Rainforest Action Network. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:08:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Fuelishness! http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-446498 Fuelishness! Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:15:55 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-446498 I day-dream about the impact of 3/4 million people waking up tomorrow, starting to work, and quietly deciding that today they will not compete with the other drivers on the road for position. Today they will not race to the next stoplight. Today they will try to maintain more distance in front of them to allow a little coasting before braking. Today they will move to the middle or the right on the highway and slow down 5 or 10 MPH. This week those people will go an additional 25 or 50 miles on a single tank of gas – possibly more, maybe enough to skip a fill-up for a day or two. I day-dream about the impact of 3/4 million people waking up tomorrow, starting to work, and quietly deciding that today they will not compete with the other drivers on the road for position. Today they will not race to the next stoplight. Today they will try to maintain more distance in front of them to allow a little coasting before braking. Today they will move to the middle or the right on the highway and slow down 5 or 10 MPH. This week those people will go an additional 25 or 50 miles on a single tank of gas – possibly more, maybe enough to skip a fill-up for a day or two.

]]> By: Oil Leak Press Conference: Must Domestic Oil Production Continue? « Moving Train Media http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-433928 Oil Leak Press Conference: Must Domestic Oil Production Continue? « Moving Train Media Thu, 27 May 2010 21:55:14 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-433928 [...] part of the energy mix in America, is that really how it has to be? This editorial — “12 Steps to Get U.S. Off Oil” —offers some ideas worth considering. And, this
from the National Journal [...] [...] part of the energy mix in America, is that really how it has to be? This editorial — “12 Steps to Get U.S. Off Oil” —offers some ideas worth considering. And, this
from the National Journal [...]

]]> By: Jared http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-433141 Jared Sun, 23 May 2010 18:03:08 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-433141 I agree that we need to seriously cut down on our oil use. One problem is that we need to be weaned carefully; oil is a very good energy source (it produces a lot of energy by mass) that is very easy and cheap to convert into useable energy. There is also a lot of it but access to the oil is getting more difficult and expensive. While biofuels (algae and the like) are another great resource as are solar and wind, we really need to ramp up our use of a proven safe green energy source - nuclear. Nuclear power is one of the safest power sources per megawatt we have (Chernobyl happened because the Russians were using early technology with few safety regulations; Three Mile Island was overblown by media hype and general misunderstanding of what really happened). Modern nuclear plants - ones currently being built - cannot melt down. Coal use dumps far more radioactive material into the atmosphere every year than nuclear ever has or will. Storage of nuclear waste is mostly a moot point if we allow the reprocessing of nuclear fuel and reactors that can use it. Even so, "spent" nuclear fuel rods are quite safe simply submerged in water. France stores all of their waste (and 75% of their energy comes from nuclear power) in one building. I could go on but any plan for green energy that does not include increased nuclear power is severely lacking. With more nuclear energy we will have more cheap energy. We will be able to power electric cars or create hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells in cars or whatever else we want to do with the energy. We have a lot of uranium in the U.S. and we can also import it from Canada. While the nuclear power we have currently is not strictly renewable, it is plentiful and cheap. It is safe and green. I agree that we need to seriously cut down on our oil use. One problem is that we need to be weaned carefully; oil is a very good energy source (it produces a lot of energy by mass) that is very easy and cheap to convert into useable energy. There is also a lot of it but access to the oil is getting more difficult and expensive. While biofuels (algae and the like) are another great resource as are solar and wind, we really need to ramp up our use of a proven safe green energy source – nuclear. Nuclear power is one of the safest power sources per megawatt we have (Chernobyl happened because the Russians were using early technology with few safety regulations; Three Mile Island was overblown by media hype and general misunderstanding of what really happened). Modern nuclear plants – ones currently being built – cannot melt down. Coal use dumps far more radioactive material into the atmosphere every year than nuclear ever has or will. Storage of nuclear waste is mostly a moot point if we allow the reprocessing of nuclear fuel and reactors that can use it. Even so, “spent” nuclear fuel rods are quite safe simply submerged in water. France stores all of their waste (and 75% of their energy comes from nuclear power) in one building. I could go on but any plan for green energy that does not include increased nuclear power is severely lacking. With more nuclear energy we will have more cheap energy. We will be able to power electric cars or create hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells in cars or whatever else we want to do with the energy. We have a lot of uranium in the U.S. and we can also import it from Canada. While the nuclear power we have currently is not strictly renewable, it is plentiful and cheap. It is safe and green.

]]> By: Oil Wars at Home: U.S. Governors Threaten to Block Offshore Drilling | TakePart Blog Network http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-215783 Oil Wars at Home: U.S. Governors Threaten to Block Offshore Drilling | TakePart Blog Network Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:32:47 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-215783 [...] and read other opinions about offshore and arctic oil exploration in the US here. You can also takepart with these 12 steps to help curb our addition to [...] [...] and read other opinions about offshore and arctic oil exploration in the US here. You can also takepart with these 12 steps to help curb our addition to [...]

]]> By: b cole http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-186952 b cole Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:34:34 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-186952 Bush said: "We need to get off oil" So, lets get off oil Algae: The New Oil www.nationalalgaeassociation.com Bush said: “We need to get off oil”

So, lets get off oil

Algae: The New Oil

http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com

]]> By: M. Smith http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-12481 M. Smith Wed, 26 Jul 2006 01:30:11 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-12481 Thank you for creating a good plan which addesses one of the world's most serious problems, namely how to make the world (especially the USA) more energy efficient. The USA, in fact, should be leading the charge but is not, for many of the reasons you pointed out here. However, for steps like number two, how exactly would that work? Make legislation that would make oil companies campaign contributions illegal? Seems right now Congress can't seem to muster the strength to make any form of monetary contribution illegal. Interesting, but how would it gone done, really? Thank you for creating a good plan which addesses one of the world’s most serious problems, namely how to make the world (especially the USA) more energy efficient. The USA, in fact, should be leading the charge but is not, for many of the reasons you pointed out here. However, for steps like number two, how exactly would that work? Make legislation that would make oil companies campaign contributions illegal? Seems right now Congress can’t seem to muster the strength to make any form of monetary contribution illegal. Interesting, but how would it gone done, really?

]]> By: Nancy A. Fox http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-10965 Nancy A. Fox Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:57:10 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-10965 I am very impressed with the twelve step program. It's about time someone has taken a step in the right direction. If only our political leaders would follow your lead. It would appear that dissolving the partnership of oil and state has to be the first step in perserving our earth. I am very impressed with the twelve step program. It’s about time someone has taken a step in the right direction. If only our political leaders would follow your lead. It would appear that dissolving the partnership of oil and state has to be the first step in perserving our earth.

]]> By: D C Campbell http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-5548 D C Campbell Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:41:40 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-5548 The oil companies and electrial companies are both holding out on its customers because over my many years I have seen and heard of both enties buying new and better products that would have saved us millions and saved our world alot of problems..they paid millions just to put them on the shelf, and threatened the inventors with all kinds of threats if they used thier own inventions..just so that they could make MORE money for thier pockets.. The oil companies and electrial companies are both holding out on its customers because over my many years I have seen and heard of both enties buying new and better products that would have saved us millions and saved our world alot of problems..they paid millions just to put them on the shelf, and threatened the inventors with all kinds of threats if they used thier own inventions..just so that they could make MORE money for thier pockets..

]]> By: Ian C.Cree,MB(Hons.),MS,FRCS(Eng.& C.),FACS,LRCP. http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-5547 Ian C.Cree,MB(Hons.),MS,FRCS(Eng.& C.),FACS,LRCP. Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:19:22 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-5547 Many years ago I wrote a letter to the mayor of Los Angeles suggesting that air pollution could be reduced by converting to electric cars which could be powered by a power line with a flexible retractable rod pickup passed through a slot in the main roads (similar to the electric trams which were common in England). There would not be rail tracks, however, thus more closely resembling the trolley buses used in England. Such cars would have rechargeable batteries powerful enough to store up electric power for several hours of use independently of any other energy source. The batteries would be recharged by: 1. The main road pickup. 2. A rapid recharger at home. 3. At rapid recharging stations, which would be located at the site of service stations. The batteries would be used for all roads not supplied with a power rod pickup. The source of power would be the general electric power, supplemented, if necessary, by additional sub stations. I received no reply to my letter. Perhaps, in today's environment, this would not sound like such a crazy idea, and the general electric power, itself, would be generated by wind, solar and, perhaps, tidal power. Incidental benefits would be considerable savings on repairs by virtue the much simpler mechanism of electric powered engines. How about a pilot study? I would appreciate your thoughts on this suggestion. Sincerely, Ian Campbell Cree, MB(Hons.),MS,FRCS(Eng. & C.),FACS,LRCP. Many years ago I wrote a letter to the mayor of Los Angeles suggesting that air pollution could be reduced by converting to electric cars which could be powered by a power line with a flexible retractable rod pickup passed through a slot in the main roads (similar to the electric trams which were common in England). There would not be rail tracks, however, thus more closely resembling the trolley buses used in England.
Such cars would have rechargeable batteries powerful enough to store up electric power for several hours of use independently of any other energy source. The batteries would be recharged by:

1. The main road pickup.

2. A rapid recharger at home.

3. At rapid recharging stations, which would be located at the site
of service stations. The batteries would be used for all roads
not supplied with a power rod pickup.

The source of power would be the general electric power, supplemented, if necessary, by additional sub stations.

I received no reply to my letter.

Perhaps, in today’s environment, this would not sound like such a crazy idea, and the general electric power, itself, would be generated by wind, solar and, perhaps, tidal power.

Incidental benefits would be considerable savings on repairs by virtue the much simpler mechanism of electric powered engines.

How about a pilot study?

I would appreciate your thoughts on this suggestion.

Sincerely,

Ian Campbell Cree, MB(Hons.),MS,FRCS(Eng. & C.),FACS,LRCP.

]]> By: Antonio Blasi http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-5531 Antonio Blasi Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:09:19 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-5531 Please read the Maine Green Independent Party Platform, particularly the Energy plank. www.mainegreens.org. This is a by=product of much think tanking, etc. Please read the Maine Green Independent Party Platform, particularly the Energy plank. http://www.mainegreens.org. This is a by=product of much think tanking, etc.

]]> By: Lucy Goodman http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-5530 Lucy Goodman Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:30:23 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-5530 We have to try to reduce our "consumption" and work toward an alternate fuel supply. They cannot start digging for oil in the Artic!! We are no longer living in the America that we all remember, as much destruction is afoot. We have to try to reduce our “consumption” and work toward an alternate fuel supply. They cannot start digging for oil in the Artic!! We are no longer living in the America that we all remember, as much destruction is afoot.

]]> By: Darrel W. Bruck Jr. http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-4635 Darrel W. Bruck Jr. Fri, 02 Jun 2006 03:02:35 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-4635 We can easily cut our oil demand. There are several companies around the world and the U.S. that turn municipal garbage into energy. SenreQ, which can be found at www.senreq.com is just one of these companies. They are pollution free. There is no combustion! Check them out. Landfills pollute. Garbage is much too valuable to bury! We can easily cut our oil demand. There are several companies around the world and the U.S. that turn municipal garbage into energy. SenreQ, which can be found at http://www.senreq.com is just one of these companies. They are pollution free. There is no combustion! Check them out. Landfills pollute. Garbage is much too valuable to bury!

]]> By: Raphael Montoliu http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-4587 Raphael Montoliu Thu, 01 Jun 2006 18:42:20 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-4587 If Brazil can run on ethanol, why can't the rest of the world? The alternatives to oil alrady exist...Up until WW2, most cars could be run on either alcohol or gazoline. Why are auto manufacturers recalling and destroying leased electric vehicles in California? The answer to all this is simple: GREED and the complete control of government by big business, which in the case of oil runs contrary to public interest. This is not a matter of a republican versus a democrat agenda: this is basic common sense versus a kind a madness which is becoming criminal in the sence that it sacrifices the natural world and the future generations, and causes war and global inequity. The action? simple: reclaim ownership of your government, wresle it away from the tight grip of corporate capitalism run amok, and refuse being labelled a radical simply because you want to be represented in Washington! The radicals here are not those who want to get away from an unnecessary dependance on oil, but the oil industry and the political puppets who force their policy of profits AT ANY COST on the public and the world! If Brazil can run on ethanol, why can’t the rest of the world? The alternatives to oil alrady exist…Up until WW2, most cars could be run on either alcohol or gazoline. Why are auto manufacturers recalling and destroying leased electric vehicles in California? The answer to all this is simple: GREED and the complete control of government by big business, which in the case of oil runs contrary to public interest. This is not a matter of a republican versus a democrat agenda: this is basic common sense versus a kind a madness which is becoming criminal in the sence that it sacrifices the natural world and the future generations, and causes war and global inequity. The action? simple: reclaim ownership of your government, wresle it away from the tight grip of corporate capitalism run amok, and refuse being labelled a radical simply because you want to be represented in Washington! The radicals here are not those who want to get away from an unnecessary dependance on oil, but the oil industry and the political puppets who force their policy of profits AT ANY COST on the public and the world!

]]> By: KnightRidderLuvsMe http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-4403 KnightRidderLuvsMe Wed, 31 May 2006 07:50:26 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-4403 I agree. Awesome ideas and nice to have it framed in one place. But where's the action? I think everyone agrees in principle but the key to all this is actually implementing it. We need some direction on that folks! I think we all KNOW what needs to be done and would rather have someone start the process instead of just more brainstorming and op-eds. I agree. Awesome ideas and nice to have it framed in one place. But where’s the action? I think everyone agrees in principle but the key to all this is actually implementing it. We need some direction on that folks! I think we all KNOW what needs to be done and would rather have someone start the process instead of just more brainstorming and op-eds.

]]> By: Margaret B http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-4402 Margaret B Wed, 31 May 2006 07:46:42 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-4402 Mike, Excellent piece. I really think this is a key solution to our oil addiction. I think there has to be many solutions at once...there is no silver bullet. We can't just go off and make ethanol until the cows come home, or build 500K new hydrogen cars and buses complete with fueling stations and H2 conversion stations. Your plan lays out all different types of solutions and that's its strength. I'll be sharing this with my Sustainable Development class next semester. Thanks for the great work! Mike,
Excellent piece. I really think this is a key solution to our oil addiction. I think there has to be many solutions at once…there is no silver bullet. We can’t just go off and make ethanol until the cows come home, or build 500K new hydrogen cars and buses complete with fueling stations and H2 conversion stations. Your plan lays out all different types of solutions and that’s its strength. I’ll be sharing this with my Sustainable Development class next semester.
Thanks for the great work!

]]> By: Jakob http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-4401 Jakob Wed, 31 May 2006 07:43:06 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-4401 Well I wouldn't say communists. Communists wouldn't be very big on reforming business as much as they would just try to regulate it. And environmentalists is kinda a weak term, no? I mean aren't we all environmentalists? Its kinda like being in favor of kids...who can honestly say they hate children and want them to suffer? Who can say that the environment is useless and should be used and abused until its gone? I gather the person who answers "Me!" to the first question, probably answers "Me!" to the second question as well which should give you an idea of how lucid they are. Great work guys, keep it up. Well I wouldn’t say communists. Communists wouldn’t be very big on reforming business as much as they would just try to regulate it. And environmentalists is kinda a weak term, no? I mean aren’t we all environmentalists? Its kinda like being in favor of kids…who can honestly say they hate children and want them to suffer? Who can say that the environment is useless and should be used and abused until its gone? I gather the person who answers “Me!” to the first question, probably answers “Me!” to the second question as well which should give you an idea of how lucid they are.

Great work guys, keep it up.

]]> By: stoob http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-3287 stoob Sat, 20 May 2006 01:27:17 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-3287 Wow, you people seem to step right out of an Ayn Rand novel. I'm always amazed by the similarities in language used by communists...er I mean progressive environmentalists. Wow, you people seem to step right out of an Ayn Rand novel. I’m always amazed by the similarities in language used by communists…er I mean progressive environmentalists.

]]> By: dorhuya http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 dorhuya Wed, 03 May 2006 16:58:44 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-1098 Array Array

]]> By: N G O Svetlost http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-703 N G O Svetlost Sat, 22 Apr 2006 12:30:24 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-703 Dear Sirs,Dear Friends! I am Chairman of NGO Svetlost/means Lightness/ from Serbia.Our mission is to promote well being of children and youth in need through effection apllication of human and financial resources.We olso want to protect our environmental/now is very bad situation in Serbia with slides and floods.We have much to work but we have no budget.Without support we can not operate,can not make actions.One modest donation would enable us to continue our work and we would be very thankful if You help us.Recomend us to Your partners,to Your friends,visit our web site www.svetlost.org to see who we are.Thank You for reading my letter,best wishes to all You ,Sincerely Chairman Mrs.Dragica Kejic Dear Sirs,Dear Friends! I am Chairman of NGO Svetlost/means Lightness/ from Serbia.Our mission is to promote well being of children and youth in need through effection apllication of human and financial resources.We olso want to protect our environmental/now is very bad situation in Serbia with slides and floods.We have much to work but we have no budget.Without support we can not operate,can not make actions.One modest donation would enable us to continue our work and we would be very thankful if You help us.Recomend us to Your partners,to Your friends,visit our web site http://www.svetlost.org to see who we are.Thank You for reading my letter,best wishes to all You ,Sincerely Chairman Mrs.Dragica Kejic

]]> By: Jason Schaefer http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/comment-page-1/#comment-615 Jason Schaefer Wed, 08 Mar 2006 02:12:42 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2006/02/07/12-steps-to-get-us-off-oil/#comment-615 GREAT!! One thing I would add to the green revolution part is a local food revolution. One important, but often forgetten, way to create energy independence is to address food security. All across America, our food is trucked thousands of miles in gas-guzzling semi trucks. This means less fresh produce and more heavily processed, nutritionally-deficient food in our diets. This problem is especially noticeable in poor inner-cities and rural areas where very little fresh and healthy produce is available and organic is almost non-existent. Growing more local food is already happening with very little help from Washingon through CSA's (community supported agriculture) and farmers markets; as well as community, urban and rooftop gardens. Organic, locally-grown food uses less fossil fuel because it does not need to be transported across the country and does not rely on fertilizers and pesticides (which are made from fossil fuels). Plus, it supports the local economy and it tastes so much better! GREAT!! One thing I would add to the green revolution part is a local food revolution. One important, but often forgetten, way to create energy independence is to address food security. All across America, our food is trucked thousands of miles in gas-guzzling semi trucks. This means less fresh produce and more heavily processed, nutritionally-deficient food in our diets. This problem is especially noticeable in poor inner-cities and rural areas where very little fresh and healthy produce is available and organic is almost non-existent. Growing more local food is already happening with very little help from Washingon through CSA’s (community supported agriculture) and farmers markets; as well as community, urban and rooftop gardens. Organic, locally-grown food uses less fossil fuel because it does not need to be transported across the country and does not rely on fertilizers and pesticides (which are made from fossil fuels). Plus, it supports the local economy and it tastes so much better!

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