Bush says US is on verge of incredible energy breakthroughs

[natedogg]

From AP news via Yahoo:
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MILWAUKEE - Saying the nation is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that would "startle" most Americans,
President Bush on Monday outlined his energy proposals to help wean the country off foreign oil.
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Less than half the crude oil used by refineries is produced in the United States, while 60 percent comes from foreign nations, Bush said during the first stop on a two-day trip to talk about energy.

Some of these foreign suppliers have "unstable" governments that have fundamental differences with America, he said.

"It creates a national security issue and we're held hostage for energy by foreign nations that may not like us," Bush said.

Bush is focusing on energy at a time when Americans are paying high power bills to heat their homes this winter and have only recently seen a decrease in gasoline prices.

One of Bush's proposals would expand research into smaller, longer-lasting batteries for electric-gas hybrid cars, including plug-ins. He highlighted that initiative with a visit Monday to the battery center at Milwaukee-based auto-parts supplier Johnson Controls Inc.

During his trip, Bush is also focusing on a proposal to increase investment in development of clean electric power sources, and proposals to speed the development of biofuels such as "cellulosic" ethanol made from wood chips or sawgrass.

Energy conservation groups and environmentalists say they're pleased that the president, a former oil man in Texas, is stressing alternative sources of energy, but they contend his proposals don't go far enough. They say the administration must consider greater fuel-efficiency standards for cars, and some economists believe it's best to increase the gas tax to force consumers to change their driving habits.

During his visit to Johnson Controls' new hybrid battery laboratory, Bush checked out two Ford Escapes — one with a nickel-metal-hybrid battery, the kind that powers most hybrid-electric vehicles, and one with a lithium-ion battery, which Johnson Controls believes are the wave of the future. The lithium-ion battery was about half the size of the older-model battery. In 2004, Johnson Controls received a government contract to develop the lithium-ion batteries.

On Tuesday, Bush plans to visit the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., to talk about speeding the development of biofuels.

The lab, with a looming $28 million budget shortfall, had announced it was cutting its staff by 32 people, including eight researchers. But in advance of Bush's visit, Energy Secretary
Samuel Bodman over the weekend directed the transfer of $5 million to the private contractor that runs the lab, so the jobs can be saved.

The department "has been informed that the NREL lab director will use these funds to immediately restore all of the jobs that were cut earlier this month due to budget shortfalls," the department said in a statement Monday.

"Our nation is on the threshold of new energy technology that I think will startle the American people," Bush said. "We're on the edge of some amazing breakthroughs — breakthroughs all aimed at enhancing our national security and our economic security and the quality of life of the folks who live here in the United States."

Later Monday, Bush visited the United Solar Ovonic plant, which makes solar panels, in Auburn Hills, Mich., outside Detroit. "This technology right here is going to help us change the way we live in our homes," Bush told reporters.

Bush said he was impressed with the growing commercial uses of solar energy.

"Roof makers will one day be able to make a solar roof that protects you from the elements and at the same time, powers your house," Bush said. "The vision is this — that technology will become so efficient that you'll become a little power generator in your home, and if you don't use the energy you generate you'll be able to feed it back into the electricity grid."

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., questioned Bush's energy policies Monday, saying the administration also supports subsidies for luxury SUVs.

"This single tax subsidy dwarfs anything being done for hybrid batteries," Markey said in a news release.

As a complement to Bush's travels, six Cabinet officials are crisscrossing the nation this week, appearing at more than two dozen energy events in more than a dozen states.

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natedogg

[fluxrad]

tl;dr.

He probably read a Wikipedia article on cold fusion and crapped himself.

[roueful]

Cause if anyone knows about the latest in cutting edge science, it's our president.

[hmkpoker]

It was looking so nice until I ran into that boldfaced reality check [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[wacki]

This article is full of crap

[ QUOTE ]
The department "has been informed that the NREL lab director will use these funds to immediately restore all of the jobs that were cut earlier this month due to budget shortfalls,"

[/ QUOTE ]


Is about the only thing that needs to be said.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., questioned Bush's energy policies Monday, saying the administration also supports subsidies for luxury SUVs.

"This single tax subsidy dwarfs anything being done for hybrid batteries," Markey said in a news release.

[/ QUOTE ]

good find natedogg.

[natedogg]

[ QUOTE ]
It was looking so nice until I ran into that boldfaced reality check [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, it sucks being right all the time.

natedogg

[natedogg]

Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative proposes a 2007 year budget of $148 million for solar cell R&D and $44 million for wind energy R&D.

Straight from the horse's mouth

By contrast, a single american company has budgeted a gradual increase from $700 million this year to $1.5 Billion per year by 2010 toward R&D for new clean energy technologies.

They intend to profit from these research results of course.

So, one single company is willing to invest between 700 Mil and 1.5 Billion per year researching photovoltaics, wind energy, and clean coal.

There is absolutely no way that the pittance Bush is throwing at the issue will outperform the vast resources, acumen, and efficiency that is being harnessed by even this one single company, much less the entire private sector. It turns out that venture capital is pouring into clean energy at a current rate of $1 billion per year, and growing rapidly. what? you don't believe it? why not? For example "Nth Power's $250 million in assets under management are devoted solely to new energy technologies." and "A recent survey by Deloitte & Touche and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) shows that 21% of VCs worldwide plan to invest in energy and the environment over the next five years, up from 12% currently." (that's over a 50% increase for those not doing the math at home)


So why is Bush doing this Advanced Energy Initiative? Does he really think this will be the one initiative from his administration that isn't bogged down by ineptitude, mismanagement, underfunding, and corruption boondoggles ala Medicare Bill, NCLB, and hell even his previous "Energy Bill" which was little more than a huge giveaway to oil? No, I"m pretty sure this Advanced Energy Plan will be business as usual for Bush (i.e. pandering to us while blatantly giving away the store to special interests)

I have a lot more reading to do but I intend to track down where this money is intended to go and I feel quite certain it will turn out to be disappointing to those who think Bush is suddenly the Green Saviour.

It sucks being right all the time but I feel a duty.

natedogg

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., questioned Bush's energy policies Monday, saying the administration also supports subsidies for luxury SUVs.


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Um..... after doing more research. This "subsidy" is just people making tax deductions on their work vehicles. It's mostly for trucks and stuff but if a luxury SUV is required for work (say a limo service or something) then it's included. I'm sure this gets abused but the quote natedogg put in bold is intentionally very misleading.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
There is absolutely no way that the pittance Bush is throwing at the issue will outperform the vast resources, acumen, and efficiency that is being harnessed by even this one single company, much less the entire private sector.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm..... well the private sector sure is spending an insane amount of money and I'm glad you agree government funding is a pittance. So, how is that college textbook challenge going? Have you reviewed the origins of the major breakthroughs in battery research that will most likely power our future cars? Actually that's a silly question, I know you have. You just won't admit those breakthroughs occurred at MIT off of a tiny stipend.

[ QUOTE ]
No, I"m pretty sure this Advanced Energy Plan will be business as usual for Bush (i.e. pandering to us while blatantly giving away the store to special interests)

[/ QUOTE ]

For once we agree, but at least funding has returned to somewhat Clinton levels in the right places.


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I have a lot more reading to do

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Yes, you do. We all do. Keep up the good work on reading and actually quoting/linking what you read. See, it isn't that hard! There is hope for you yet!