There is an energy bill in Congress but don't hold your breath.   It has been delayed 18 times and 75% of the potential savings have already been cut out of the bill. (per MEEA conference last year)

Bush's energy policy has been pathetic, but at least there is a policy.   The Clinton administration had no energy policy for 8 years except to buy more Middle East Oil.   Not exactly a policy.

Governor Bush was very good at wind energy.   Texas (mostly under his term as Governor) has 1300 MW of wind energy or about 25% of the total wind energy in the USA.   My blue state of Michigan has 2.4 MW of wind energy in comparison.    New wind maps shows 16,000 MW of wind with over 2,000 MW at level 5 and level 6 which are profitable right now!   Projections for the next 5 years are a pathetic 250 MW of new wind production. I guess it is a start.

At the Federal Reserve Bank Energy Seminar last week they mentioned that in 1971 total oil reserves were projected at 200 billion barrels.   since that time we have pumped 400 billion barrels of oil. The oil reserve today is projected at 209 billion barrels.   (more than 1971) Why?- because we found new oil in the gulf of Mexico.   As the price goes up and technology increases, we have the ability to find new oil sources.   This allows us to make a more orderly transition to alternative sources.

A few more facts from the Fed Seminar- the inflation adjusted price for gasoline is the same as it has always been at $2 a gallon.   The gasoline price was higher (when ajdusting for inflation) in the 1950's and in 1975.   To reach 1975 levels, gasoline would have to increase to $3 a gallon.   As a result, people have generally accepted the $2 price.   It has not changed buying patterns as of yet, as people still look at the pricing as temporary.

On the positive side, I just recieved the go ahead yesterday to launch a renewable energy program through our Utility.   It will be one of the 5 largest renewable programs in the country.   I am the co lead on the project which is way cool.   The program starts on 1/1/06.

Life is very weird.   I did an energy speech for the UAW headquarters.   They loved me and booked me for 6 local UAW presentations.   I have made 1 already and have 3 more in 2 weeks. I wonder how they would feel if they knew they had a conservative in their meetings?   I ignore the politics and only concentrate on my energy expertise.   So far I have gotten perfect scores on their feedback forms, and an open invitation to any of their lunch meetings.

Drilling in Alaska is the right thing.   so is conservation, and renewable sources.   I think we have to do all three.   It is not one and not the other.