For some time now I have been privately contemplating ways to put forth some logical and rational thought regarding our nation’s future energy production strategies. Having thought about it for a while (since around 2015) I have watched in recent horror as governments have passed or contemplated laws and regulations that would require high percentages of energy production from renewables (sometimes up to 100%), solar panels on all new housing starts, elimination of all internal combustion engine vehicles, new and obnoxious taxes, or suffocating restrictions on existing viable sources of energy production. And then the final straw – The Green New Deal!
While my focus is on energy production and use it’s worth noting that the Green New Deal speaks to a lot more than energy strategy. In the best case it could be characterized as governmental or institutional insanity; and in the worst case, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) to our economy and possibly our entire American way of life. With that as a backdrop, I can’t just stand by and watch the country I love, plan and implement its demise. My hope is that I can do my miniscule part to keep this from happening. I do not intend to take on the entire Green New Deal, but only its ill-advised approach to the future production and use of energy in this country. We must do better! This is an ideal starting point from which to speak out and offer some contrary thought for addressing what may be one of the most critical challenges in our country – fulfilling our future energy needs.
Note: Over the years as I have thought about NewEnergy2040 I have often analogized it to the moon landing, not because I think them equal, but rather because I think both require a country that is united around a common goal and in that achieve something that has never been done before. I do not make this analogy frivolously, but rather with a reverence to the moon landing and to emphasize how significant and challenging NewEnergy2040 could be. America’s moonshot required unparalleled efforts by both government and private industry working together to envision and ultimately “complete the mission”. Not taking away from that incredible achievement, fulfillment of NewEnergy2040 will require some of the same. It’s different, in that the target of NewEnergy2040 is not out of this world, moving at 2300 mph, or made of green cheese. Nonetheless, if we were to hit this target it would be no less significant or important to the future of our great country.