Need for Alternative Fuels Larger than Today’s Gas Prices

Over the past several weeks, I’ve read several articles questioning whether the desire for alternative fuels will remain intense if the price of gasoline drops long-term. The latest is today’s Oil Shock column in the Washington Post.

Several very large benefits would arise from a shift away from foreign oil and these often seem to be given short shrift in discussions about fuel. For me, the largest benefit would come from strengthening America’s ability to power its own destiny. Currently we are dependent on other countries for one of the basic building blocks of a strong economy – the energy to manufacture and transport goods and services. This is just plain foolish. By allowing ourselves to rely on oil from outside the US, we have given away some of the control over our own destinies.

This raises national security issues as well. We are letting ourselves be painted into a corner. By continuing our dependence on foreign oil, we are increasing our need to keep oil flowing across the globe. That is a lot of territory to cover. Do we really want to risk the lives of the men and women who serve in our military for cheap gasoline?

The last big issue I see, and the one I hear mentioned least frequently, is the need to give our children as many options as possible. I strongly believe that one of the primary duties of parents is to give their children opportunities so they will have an array of tools at their disposal as they make their way through life. I want my children, and every child, to have choices in every arena, including energy. I think we owe them nothing less.

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