Reply #12: I didn't know...

[TreasonousBastard]

you could post something that long.

But, he's got a point.

Energy independance and alternative fuels research is extremely important economically and environmentally.

Economically, our trade deficit and jobs problems could be partially solved by hugely expanded, or new, industries of alternative energy production and new methods of extracting and using coal.

Since the rest of the world seems to be much further along than we are in all of this, it would also increase our competitive standing in the new technologies from about zero to pretty good.

Curiously, there is much talk of the "costs" of alternative energy programs. What is missing there is that all energy "costs" something to extract, and the "costs" of building a new industry are really investments, which will have huge returns. The money spent does go to employ people and build things.