David Sandalow starts his 5-mile commute each day by unplugging an extension cord connecting his Toyota Prius hybrid to an outlet in his carport. [Edit: info added here by poster: He is the U.S. Department of Energy's assistant secretary for policy and international affairs.] His Prius, which was converted two years ago to allow him to recharge the battery from an electric outlet, gets more than 80 m.p.g. and lets him drive 30 miles on a single charge. He fills up with gasoline once every month or two. "If you're thirsty, you can get a Diet Coke or orange juice or water. If you're hungry, you can get a hamburger or hot dog or a fruit plate. If you want to drive someplace, you only have one choice: You can use gasoline or petroleum-based products," says Sandalow, the U.S. Department of Energy's assistant secretary for policy and international affairs. Full article at: Experiences with Prius hybrid give policymaker insight into energy needs | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
If I recall correctly, the DOE (Department of Energy) was instituted during the Carter Administration for the sole purpose of reducing America's dependence upon foreign oil. Decades later, and tens of billions of dollars spent on the DOE, the only tangible evidence that the DOE has done something positive towards meeting the original chartered goal is that a DOE employee is using a plug-in hybrid. What a waste of tax payer money........ Keith
First off, this thread is already headed in a political direction. Certainly there is one political party that has all but declared war on energy independence while the other works to achieve it. So a short history lesson is in order: Jimmy Carter installed solar water heaters on the White House. The next administration took them down. Bill Clinton's administration installed solar water heaters on just about every building at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. There was also a solar collector by the Pentagon parking lot. The next administration took them down. What we have is one political party building a brick wall and the next political party removing what has been built. Even now, there are candidates of one political party advocating elimination of the Dept. of Education and Dept,. of Energy. I'm an engineer by training and attitude so I don't care who advocates sensible policies. But since 1976 to today, the actions of different political parties have been and remains clear. One party has history supporting energy independence by public, government policy and the other has not. Bob Wilson
Hey, don't be so harsh. It's a start. In several more decades and tens of billions of dollars spent they may have TWO plug-in hybrids. Of course, that's only if one specific party retains power for the time in between. Otherwise, they might just let the air out of the tires of the one they've got.
Wow you think that was an accomplishment. $28K and they leaked. Where is the coal gasification, the 20% solar power by 2000. The not being able to buy more oil at any price. He was a clown. The big improvements were more efficient appliances. Billions of dollars tossed in the toilet. If you think those hot water heaters were a great photo op, you might think bush putting solar power back at the white house was great. No it didn't really matter all that much. What percentage of energy do you think the all the solar water heaters do for the US? It's far less than 1%. Hot showers and swimming pools are not the big waste of power that removing will get the us free of foreign energy. Both parties have talked energy independance since nixon and his goal was 1980. Demcrans and republicrats have poor records when it comes to investing money where it does any good.
Over the past few decades we have had Republican and Democratic controlled government (Executive & Legislative branches). One party may have a slight advantage in "supporting" energy independence, but neither party has really done a damn thing about it. By the way Bob, since you seem to be involved with NASA, what do you think about the new objectives for NASA: NASA administrator Charles Bolden says President Obama has ordered him to pursue three new objectives: a) re-inspire children to study science and math, b) expand our international relationships, and c) reach out to the Muslim world. (I think Obama flunked science - The Muslim world is not another planet.) Keith P.S. I'm not a Republican or Democrat, but an independent who has supported both parties from time to time (and right now I'm disgusted with both of them).
watch the clip and see if you agree about who did the most for the environment. I'll give you a clue. Its the one I consider the worst recent president. An Energy-Independent Future - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - 06/16/2010 - Video Clip | Comedy Central InterTechnology/Solar Corp. If you want solar power you can do much better today.
