If ever there were justification for the US government, businesses and private citizens to embrace energy independence, a recent report by the US government citing continued Saudi links to terrorism should encourage that move. Six years after the 9/11 terror attacks and the nation that produced the bulk of the 9/11 hijackers is still funneling millions upon millions into the waiting hands of Al Qaeda.

In essence because Americans consume more energy that is produced domestically, we are essentially funding our own destruction. Naturally, any libertarian worth their salt supports the premise of free and unmolested trade, but at the expense of the very liberty we cherish?

As long as this nation produces fuel inefficient vehicles and refuses to embrace alternatives we will continue to remain vulnerable, but once we are able to cast of the shackles of radical tyrants and their petroleum noose these radicals will loose a valuable source of revenue, striking a severe blow to Al Qaeda and like minded savages…

Whether someone is an environmentalist or not is of no consequence, all those who value their freedom should embrace the call. As gas prices have crept upward, more and more Americans have purchase smaller or more fuel efficient cars, Individuals like John Edwards have called on Americans to abandon their SUVs, but is that the answer? Do we have to give up our SUVs? Certainly not, the supposition that Automakers can’t produce fuel efficient vehicles unless they are the size of a breadbox is absurd. Automakers, however, need a friendly push…

Producers need an incentive to produce more fuel efficient vehicles and embrace fossil fuel alternatives, at the same time consumer need an incentive to purchase these products. It would be foolish to embrace a one tiered strategy as no single solution will save us from the strangle these tyrants hold over us.

Step One: Produce more
Rather than placing obstacles on domestic production, the Congress should encourage domestic oil exploration be it in ANWR, in the Gulf o anywhere else, the environmental impact would be minimal in this modern era…

Step Two: Encourage fossil Fuel Alternatives
Up to this point federal and state authorities have only paid lip service to the notion of supporting (or at the very least, un-inhibiting) the development of fossil fuel alternatives. If the nation of Brazil can virtually eliminate its dependence on petroleum through sugar based ethanol, then surely the United States can do the same. Through tax breaks and other market based incentives the US could quickly develop an alternative energy infrastructure to rival the oil industry’s 100+ year hold. Not only should ethanol alternatives be explored but natural gas, bio-diesel and so forth, all of which have great potential.

Step Three: Encourage New Technology
There are a number of alternatives that could spell the end for the internal combustion engine. One such development is the Fuel Cell, used by NASA in space exploration for over 40 years, fuel cell powered vehicles produce no exhaust leaving only water in their wake and would completely eliminate petroleum dependency. At the very least technologies which boost fuel efficiency should be encouraged. Hybrid technology is one such option allowing SUV loving soccer moms to keep their automotive behemoths without writing weekly checks to Osama and company…Through tax incentives that eliminate much of the cost differential between standard and alternative vehicles, their would be few impediments to their production.

Step Four: Embolden the Consumer
By providing consumers with incentives to purchase alternatives, such as reduced ad valorem taxes and so forth consumers would be further encouraged to pursue a new path toward energy independence.

While we may differ on the means, the fact remains that something must be done and soon. As a libertarian the premise of using government as the vehicle for change is distasteful at the very least, but using an incentive system rather than government mandates in order to protect and secure our futures the bad taste doesn’t linger quite as long…
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=22147
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29474720070912

Previous Articles:
http://www.thephalanx.com/2006/09/major-oil-discoveryperfect-time-to.html
http://www.thephalanx.com/2006/04/oil-and-economics.html
http://www.thephalanx.com/2006/04/china-and-oil.html
http://thephalanx.com/2006/02/bush-cautions-against-foreign-oil.html
http://www.thephalanx.com/2005/11/is-this-best-they-can-do.html
http://www.thephalanx.com/2006/02/if-brazil-can-why-cant-us.html