The Observation Deck

I think we can all get along. People can have there drilling fetish satisfied and we do not need to be part of the problem while doing it.

Geothermal

[quote]“The answer to the world’s energy needs may have been under our feet all this time,â€

Jim, I read this article last month about non-traditional geothermal power. Funny thing is the inventor is from Alaska. I find it odd that geothermal isn't discussed more, it seems like in some places it's a very viable way to heat and cool homes. The thing about the energy crisis is that it's not going to be solved by one type of energy but by many. So yes geothermal seems like it could quench the thirst of some of the "drill baby drill" crowd.

Here is the article from popular mechanics http://www.popularmechanics.com/science ... 45896.html

There are cheap, how to videos on you tube. If I owned or rented a place where I had to pay heat, I would be looking into one of them.

it is a good idea. but we need that money for Iraq.

ryan costa wrote:it is a good idea. but we need that money for Iraq.

HAHAH I like you.

Can we run cars, trucks and planes on geothermal?

Stephen Eisel wrote:Can we run cars, trucks and planes on geothermal?

No they can't but the use of geothermal, wind and solar will decrease our overall use of oil which is a good thing.

Danielle Masters wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:Can we run cars, trucks and planes on geothermal?

No they can't but the use of geothermal, wind and solar will decrease our overall use of oil which is a good thing.

But Petroleum based products generate less than 4% of all electricity generated in U.S. electricity plants????

It's still 4%

I honestly think that especially right now with our economic mess this is the perfect time to expand mass transit throughout the nation. People are going to be changing their habits out of necessity and if we could make mass transit a viable choice for people use of oil would go down. And yes I know this will take time, but if we start now rather than talking about the future we could make a difference.

Stephen Eisel wrote:

Danielle Masters wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:Can we run cars, trucks and planes on geothermal?

No they can't but the use of geothermal, wind and solar will decrease our overall use of oil which is a good thing.

But Petroleum based products generate less than 4% of all electricity generated in U.S. electricity plants????

Stephen, What is your angle. Why do you fear all thing not oil. You must have some stake in it. What does electricity have anything with Geothermal. Nobody is saying that we can power cars and planes with it. It can be used to heat our homes and hot water.

All this big talk about weaning us from "terror" oil. Then when some idea comes along that does not equal more drilling for oil everybody has something to say.

Do not worry Stephen, geothermal is not going to hurt you. Who knows someday you might like things there are not made of oil.

The only way you're gonna get Americans out of their cars and onto public transportation is to begin to make cars unaffordable. By way of a gas tax. With gasoline now at $3 a gallon now would be the perfect time to enact a $1 a gallon gas tax and use the proceeds to expand, for example, the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Only one problem. Motorists don't want to pay a penny a gallon more for gasoline than they have to....

Tim I agree. I would have no problem paying another $1 for gas. As long as I saw results for that money. I think it could be done. I hope one day it will be done.

Jim, if we offset the buck a gallon by earmarking the new-found money toward the Earned Income Tax Credit, we'd be reducing our addiction to oil while at the same time encouraging folks to work. That's my plan. My name is Tim Liston and I approve this message....

Tim, I like that idea. However I do not think we need to offset the buck to get people to work. I am a firm believer in the "green color jobs". I think that we can invest so much money for just a buck a gallon in research and development of technology that can get us off oil. Sure that sounds like a stump speech but it is real and can be done. We just need to get our collective heads out of the sand and do something about it.

the candidates mentioned "energy independence" in the speeches and commercials. they are positive words to use. people like Energy. and they like the idea of Independence. The present "meme" of independence is having a big car to drive all over, cutting taxes, and invading Iraq.

Neither candidate gave any positive words about driving smaller cars, driving less, or anything along those lines.

The Just In Time model of business mixes hazardously with fossil fuel power plants. many power plants carry lower reserves of fuel than they used to. I can go weeks or months without driving. but having household electricity out for a day or two is much more of an inconvenience.