God can only imagine what Gov't will do with 2 car companies, let alone doing anything with fuels..
As for diesel, with gas prices so low compared to a year ago, it will be hard to convince people to go diesel. And with the GM debacle in the 80's with the 5.7, and to change the old adage that diesels are not loud, slow and smoky, it will be very hard to convince the general public that diesel is the way to go.
No one more than me would love to see the western world tell OPEC where to shove their oil reserves. Yet we fight over the Alaskan land and offshore drilling as ways to reduce our dependency. Can't have it both ways. But America has yet to learn it.
So the obvious answer would be use less. Or going with biofuels. I bought a biodiesel processor a few years ago, and had numerous conversations with Josh Tickell, author of "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" when out on the West Coast, back in 2004. I only questioned his estimate of 11,000 sq miles of desert to be used to reduce America's dependency. I estimated 20,000 sq miles of desert land to be made into algae collecting ponds, using 2,000 gallons of fuel per acre, possibly more. This higher estimate was for ALL fuel usage, not just diesel. Glad to see Josh was ahead of everyone with algae.
Regardless of the estimates, something has to be done to reduce our dependency on foreign (and fossil) fuels. Hybrids have more of a carbon footprint than any diesel on the road, yet is heralded as a savior. On the Long Island Expressway, only hybrids can use the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes with driver only, yet my 09 TDI CLEAN diesel is not. Go figure.
While not a fan of the current President, I really have not seen much on anything fuel wise except the incentives to trade in clunkers for newer cars. While a step in the right direction, we need to do MUCH more on fuel conservation and dependency. My 09 and 89 Jettas help a little bit.....lolol. But i have not read much on this Administration's efforts to do encourage alternative fuels, just the 'trade in' program. And STRONGLY pursuing the ASTM standard for biofuels so ALL diesels can use them without worrying about mechanical/warranty problems.
Algae, Jatropha, WVO conversion to biodiesel can be great for both the economy, the planet, and National Security. While not fully read up on algae, has anyone here done more research and know if algae is a 'pure' oil that can be cracked into gasoline (and other petroleum derivatives) as well? Even with jatropha plants reported to use copious amounts of water, it can also grow sufficiently with salt water. Though this can be discussed at a later time, IMO it is still a better way to get fuel than being held hostage by a bunch of desert dirtbags who hate the western world, but love it's money.
As for my Canadian VW Brothers, anything going on that spot your way with all the oil in the sand (Alberta?)? I do recall that oil would have to reach $95 a barrel to make retrieving it profitable. Guess that isn't going on anytime soon with oil below $95.
I know you guys pay a lot more than us (I paid $2.75 a gallon and was happy.. roughly 70 cents a litre). Seeing how many of the VW diesel guys here are from north of the border, with your fuel prices I can see why you love your diesels.
Anyway, I'm off the soapbox.
Stay safe, stay well. Jimmy.
Topic: Turn American economy around? (Read 4125 times)
