"White Paper" on Clean Alternative Energy

I just thought I would throw it out there - this is my tentative "white paper" on moving forward with clean alternative energy.

CLEAN ALTERNATIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

FOREIGN POLICY

- - > Countries such as Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and to a lesser extent Saudia Arabia entire continent of South America to turn against the U.S. (refer to the elections in Nicaragua, lack of support in Argentina, Peru, Colombia, etc.), and a tighter grip on where U.S. trade is directed.

- - > Part of the money that is saved by not importing oil can be directed towards defense spending. This will give the United States an advantage over industrializing nations such as China, because while China needs to spend money on oil, the United States is able to direct that money towards modernizing their military. So even if the Chinese still support the oil rich nations by buying oil, their money will all be directed towards exports, while the money the United States saves will be recycled within the United States.

METHODS TO FAST-TRACK ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

- - > Heighten the Gas Tax: Although this will be politically detrimental, it is essential for the transition to alternative energy. People do not respond simply to shallow political rhetoric. If they feel that it is not in their self-interest (economically) to continue to drive gasoline-powered cars, they will switch to alternative fueled cars. With the demand of alternatively powered cars, automakers and engineers will benefit with booming business. This could revitalize depressed areas such as Detroit (remember Michigan is a swing state, don’t think I didn’t think about that).

- - > Tax Breaks for American Automakers and Alternative Energy Developers: By providing tax breaks for automakers who produce alternatively fueled vehicles, the domestic car companies will be more willing to take the jump in switching the technologies of their products. Tax breaks will also be afforded to companies who produce alternative energy to substitute oil-powered technologies. This will lead to a “mini scientific revolution” that will revitalize engineering in the U.S. This will also encourage young students to concentrate on math and science in school (something that is lacking today in American schools) because that is where profitable careers will be. This will lead to support from the Chambers of Commerce (usually a Republican stronghold).

MAJOR BENEFITS DOMESTICALLY

- - > All of the jobs that were “exported” by importing oil can be directed domestically to corporations and individuals that develop and create alternative energy. This will lead to an employment boom through out the country; especially in transitional economies such as rural areas and depressed cities.

- - > More money in the domestic economy - more money to expand businesses and close the trade deficit.

- - > By becoming the lead in the study and production of alternative energy, the United States can create an export economy. They will be able to ship cheaper fuels than oil to Europe and Asia – creating a potential trade surplus.

- - > Alternative fuels will lead to a cleaner environment. This is what will attract the environmentally conscious group to support these initiatives.

MAJOR CHALLENGE

- - > These initiatives at first, especially raising the gas tax, will be politically unpopular. The challenge is to get people to look towards the long-run. This may be hard to do in a short sighted, impatient U.S. population, but if you sell the initiatives as a “fight for our security for future generations” it is possible. It will take a strong public relations campaign, and consideration for lower income residents who rely on cheaper gas prices, to advance this policy of alternative energy. It will ultimately take a visionary pitch and a visionary politician to make this popular.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

-Environment (S)
-Great opportunity for economically depressed areas and the congressmen that represent those areas. It leads to rural and urban rebirth. Politically popular in the long run (E/P)
-More accountability, restraint and cooperation required from rogue oil nations. Major diplomatic leverage. (E/S)
-More jobs created domestically (E)
-More money stays domestically (recirculation) (E)
-Re-birth of American auto-maker (E)
-World leader in alternative energy – able to sell the technology internationaL (E/P)
-Boom for American farmer (soy, corn,) (E)

(E) – Economic Benefit
(S) – Societal Benefit
(P) – Political Benefit