People have to know the U.S. has a serious energy problem.  If they look to the future it's obvious we need to change.  It's very important to be aware of what is happening in politics in relation to the oil and gas companies.  They are more involved in U.S. politics than most people think because they have a lot to lose if we move away from fossil fuels.

The Government and Politicians Have To Change

They have to think about the future of the U.S. and how the decisions they make today will affect our future. Our representatives in Washington D.C. and local governments need to make strong environmental policies that force corporations to change. For example: The automobile industry, of the current technology readily available today the hybrid electric car is the best choice for helping the environment.  What would make the current hybrid even better would be creation of a hybrid ethanol electric car - combination of electric car, using E85. 

In order the this to work, all the gas station MUST carry ethanol in their pumps and build many ethanol refineries to supply them while keeping CO2 emissions to a minimum.  Give automobile technology must give them a deadline to produce more hybrid cars and start eliminating the gas only autos.  The automotive industry is already getting incentives, tax credit and other benefits, but let the public have some so they will have even more reason to purchase them. 

Maybe for the future, there will be electronic cars again. This time all areas need to be thought out.  What will happen if a person is running low on battery "juice" - possibly have stations where a battery could be switched out  (or quick charged).  In order for alternative energy sources to work, there has to be participation and cooperation, therefore every gas station must have this alternative available.  If this were to happen, it would require the automobile industry to use the same battery system or only have a few battery systems available to switch out easily. 

For a back up system, the car could have an E85 engine in it to give additional comfort for the drivers.  The technology is here already so it shouldn't be a problem, just make some modifications to what is already manufactured today.

Regarding electricity, we need reduce the fossil fuel power plants and convert to solar panels along with wind turbines.  Phasing out these power plants, will reduce dramatically the usage of fossil fuels and give us clean energy.  Instead of giving incentives to companies, there need to be incentives for people to switch over from gas water heaters to electric heaters using solar/wind energy.  As with most things, including the government, it's very hard to change a standard way of life.  Change, in this case, is hard but necessary to save our nation.

An effective way to influence change is to have all federal buildings, including schools, libraries, government buildings, etc., switch to using clean renewable sources of energy.  All of this is expensive, which is why the money should be provided by the oil and gas companies.  The industry is heavily subsidized to begin with, and for them to make the excessive profits off of consumers is ridiculous.  They should, from their profits, pay a pre-determined percentage to go toward developing renewable sources of energy.  The high tariff or tax should be placed on the profits from the oil and gas companies and should NOT be passed down to the consumers.

Developing More Futuristic Technology for Additional Clean Energy

Automotive

• Develop hybrid E85 cars with solar panel paint jobs on the car body to generate extra energy.
   
• Continual development of hydrogen cars and give incentives, tax benefits to those companies who develop new technology.

Renewable Energy

• Invest more to improve solar panel technology and design.  Bring down costs, increase aesthetics.  Give incentives and tax benefits to corporations (and individuals) who change to use solar panels.  (i.e., solar panels on McDonald's, the mall and other high profile areas.)
   
• Improve wind turbines to be more "neighborhood friendly."
   
• Develop new types of renewable, clean energy by using innovation.