tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post7888317702849976627..comments2023-12-29T15:25:46.925-05:00Comments on "THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE MY TINY WINDOW": Post No. 29: The Problems Associated with Having Your Cake and Eating It TooInspector Clouseauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373932797333038561noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-58092690023987685892008-07-30T19:00:00.000-04:002008-07-30T19:00:00.000-04:00This is somewhat in response to a comment, which w...This is somewhat in response to a comment, which we very much appreciate, from Cash Fitzpatrick, who is currently living in Iceland working on a thermal energy project. He mentioned that he was skeptical of T. Boone Pickens' plan for energy independence. He noted that Pickens stands to gain lots of money if his plan is adopted.<BR/><BR/>Cash's comment reminded me of an experience which occurred during one of my graduate school classes. We were discussing possible solutions to a societal problem. Solution A was dismissed because of Problem X. Solution B was dismissed because of Problem Y. Solution C was dismissed because of Problem Z. Finally, out of frustration, I suggested that someone had to do something.<BR/><BR/>That graduate school discussion is similar to the debate which we have everyday at governmental levels regarding solving problems.<BR/>We must all realize that no solution is perfect, and that it will have both positive and negative attributes. At least in this instance, I'd rather have an American make billions than have a foreign, potentially unstable government make them.Inspector Clouseauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09373932797333038561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-90025052388868661452008-07-30T18:30:00.000-04:002008-07-30T18:30:00.000-04:00Happy to hear you're reading and enjoying my b...Happy to hear you're reading and enjoying my blog, although I admit the content is mostly skewed for entertainment purposes only. What can I say? My family doesn't want to hear me rant about energy policy :) <BR/><BR/>I read your posts re energy and have found them interesting. I'm actually not a big fan of Picken's plan...not because I don't think we need more wind power (we clearly do), but switching our cars from oil to natural gas does not strike me as a short, mid, or long term solution. He glosses over the fact that natural gas cars can't go the same mileage, or the time & cost it takes to switch US manufacturers and infrastructure over to natural gas. How many gas stations have you seen that can handle natural gas? It's not the same thing...<BR/><BR/>Not to mention the price of natural gas follows the price of oil. Its also increased ~5X in the past 5 years (as have all the fossil fuels).<BR/><BR/>Clearly he's playing the part of the concerned environmentalist, which may or may not be true (I personally doubt it). But one point which can't be argued is that he's not doing all this for charity - he stands to make billions on his wind farms, especially if he can push off the responsibility of having to pay for the transmission lines. And then there's always the problems of rolling brown & blackouts from having too much wind power on the electrical grid. Do a search for "Texas wind grid electricity" on NYTimes, WSJ, etc and you'll see what I mean. ERCOT is already having serious problems getting their current grid to work...imagine if they scaled it up 10X. And besides, I'm always skeptical of having noble thoughts about the person who stands to make the money.<BR/><BR/>I think I'll stop here. That's already way too long for a simple comment :)<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, and I'll keep an eye on your posts.Cashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12162915776403019044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-27579759671365278662008-07-29T16:44:00.000-04:002008-07-29T16:44:00.000-04:00I agree with much of what you have said. Unfortun...I agree with much of what you have said. Unfortunately, neither the right or the left have produced a leader that can lead both sides. No one from the middle has made it to front stage. What I haven't been able to understand is how both side fail to find a common ground on energy policy. The left can come from the point of global warming/environmental concerns. The right can come from the point of fear and business. In the middle, compromises can be made to lower the demand for oil which accomplishes both goals. Neither side seems willing to have a win/win situation because that means the other side had a win too.The cup is half full of something I don't likehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11683679457196177381noreply@blogger.com