$4 + Gas Would Be Good for US Long Term

[hankster]

Originally Posted by Grizz

There is no need for a new grid at all with these technologies. They can, and currently do use the current grid. Raising the voltage at the source is done easily and inexpensively with a transformer. The reason these technologies aren't commonplace is simply that our typical means of producing electricity (coal, nat. gas, water) are still much less expensive than any of these, though I especially much like the idea of geothermal as a growing source.

I work in the electric utility industry. Grizz is correct. These technologies use the current grid with an appropriate transformer.

Devices producing direct current (DC) need to be inverted to AC which can then be stepped up using a transformer.

[Westernskies]

Originally Posted by chinaco

I am not for gas subsidies... But I do not care for higher gas prices.

I would prefer a gas guzzler tax on the purchase of any passenger vehicle (including pickup trucks and SUVs) that get less than some level of efficiency. 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Use the money to fund R&D for alternative energy solutions.

It accomplishes the something and encourages the development of more fuel efficient vehicles. A gas subsidy just encourages more use of fuel.

We already have a gas-guzzler tax- you pay for every gallon you consume. Not sure how much simpler you can make it.

[laurence]

The problem with gas guzzler tax, CAFE, etc. is it affects new vehicle purchase a little bit, but doesn't affect usage. If someone buys a "gas guzzling" van and then carpools with it to work with 5 coworkers, they are actually generating a smaller footprint than a self righteous Prius owner zipping along in the fast lane by themselves.

I vote for an increase in gas tax straight up - that's why I'll never hold office. Calculate the real cost of gas ( exploration subsidies, military etc.) and tack that on to gas to reflect it to the consumer. Offer a tax credit to individuals with income under x and families under x + y to recoup (approximately) that cost. Use the money to upgrade our crumbling interstates and research alternative energy. It will never happen. Our elected officials cut taxes and increase spending, year after year, to ever increasing debt levels, and we reward them by re-electing them over and over. Democracy (Republic) is when the people get the government they deserve.

[whitestick]

Originally Posted by tightasadrum

One of the issues I've heard about, maybe here, is that alternative energy sources (photo voltaic, wind power, geothermal etc.) require a totally different power grid system, one that delivers energy through the grid at a much lower voltage level.

Actually, I believe what you are referring to, is the need for additional grid to connect to the rural locations where the alternative energy generation sources are to be located. That is, to find sufficient cheap, unencumbered real estate to locate wind turbines or combined photo voltaic cells, you must push out to locations that currently don't have sufficient grid infrastructure to carry the power back to the consumption sites, with minimal losses. That will have to be be built. As T. Boone Pickens stated, when he described his plan to build windmill generators on a rural site, IF he couldn't get the grid to build to him, he would pay to construct the lines needed to carry his power to the existing grid. Most generation companies, prefer not to build this transmission infrastructure, as it requires differing sets of skills, equipment, and operations from that needed for generation. Of course, if the price of gas causes the 'burbs to be vacated in favor of the urban cities, some of those mcmansions might be knocked down for their land, - a stunning irony from the current build scenario.