We all know that we are in the midst of a fuel mess.  Not enough fuel.  No way to get it fast enough.  No real plan in place.  You know the deal.  So, what is the answer to solving the crisis?  In a few words, there are a lot of suggestions but not one answer.

At the Republican National Convention there were loud chants of “Drill, baby drill!”  To some, this seems like a good idea, and it may or may not be.  The issues that have come up from both sides of the aisle regarding drilling are that drilling takes a long time to set up.  There is the task of finding the right spot, ecological studies, permits, test drilling, building platforms and more.  Experts, researchers and many others say that it would take nearly 10 years to see any usable fuel from new drilling.

Since right now, the United States has about 3% of the world’s oil but uses well over 25% of the world’s fuel, waiting 10 years doesn’t seem like a helpful short-term option.  This is not to say that drilling should not be part of the equation to address the fuel crisis.  It is to say that other forms of fuel and energy need to be researched and probably combined into a complete plan that will evolve over time.

There are ways to use ethanol and biofuels in certain cars now.  Production could be increased on these cars and incentives could be given to both the automobile manufacturers and the individuals who purchase these autos in an effort to offset costs for both.  Change of this magnitude is not free, and it’s not cheap, either.

There are cars that are already hybrid and cars using solar and electric power.  Other cars in the wings are hydrogen cell powered.  All of these are less harmful to the environment and will conserve energy and eliminate the need for at least some amount of fossil fuels.  Some of these are being used now, and their use can be increased with the right marketing and incentives.

Researchers are looking at ways to use recycled solid waste to power cities and transportation.  There are ways to use nuclear energy to create power, and we have been doing this for decades.

As for drilling, those who say that it won’t work also say that most of the usable oil is located within 50 miles of the shoreline, but the new energy plan, if passed, will not allow drilling any closer than 50 miles of the shoreline, so there may not be many oil rich areas out there, according to some.  Also, even though the lawmakers will allow the moratorium on drilling to lapse so that the possibility of drilling can become a reality, it ultimately remains up to the individual states as to whether they will approve it or not.

Drilling is a viable option and should not be dismissed.  The current fuel crisis was not created overnight, and just like losing weight after gaining it over a period of time, the solution will not be finalized over night either.