choices, we've got choices

While the debate rages on whether we need to invest in alternate fuel sources, here is an interesting overveiw of some possible replacements for fossil fuels. Solar energy, biomass, wind &, geothermal energy, fuel cell cars, hydrogen, nuclear, space-based solar power, etc. This is a really good primer on the basics, with not too much opinion muddying it up.

This article has some good opinion in it, comparing our oil dependence to Brazil's. In 1979, Brazil started pouring $ into ethanol-cars, and currently 50% of new cars sold in Brazil are mix-fuel (petroleum and ethanol) . The most amazing claim is that oil imports made up only 10% of their energy comsumption in 2002, compared to 85% in 1978. They claim it will drop to nearly zero this year.

Brazil suggests we (the US) export our corn for consumption, and import their ethanol, both to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil (yeah, but then wouldn't we just become dependent on foreign ethanol?) . The plan isn't likely to go over here, mainly because Bush is promoting hydrogen technology for his Freedomcar. I encourage you to read the author's conclusion (of the Brazil article).