I haven’t had a pen pal in many years, despite the fact that I write every day. So I decided to choose one. Perhaps I’ve chosen a pen pal whom everybody writes, but that’s just fine. I hope we all keep in close contact with our new President, Barack Obama. In my first letter I aptly decided to relay my hopes for our energy future; hopes that I pray President Obama also shares. I just can’t wait to find out…

Dear President Obama,

Even as I write, we are facing a national energy crisis. A crisis that is temporarily relegated to the wings as oil prices decline and a dire economy takes center stage. We both know, however, that these relatively low prices cannot hold. And we both know – you more than anyone by now – that you, our new President, will have a laundry list of issues to address, even on your first day. Among these, energy will stake a prominent claim.

Nearly half our energy comes from oil, with much of the remainder provided by coal and natural gas. Each of these has its benefits and its problems. Oil is relatively easy to process but in short supply. Coal is abundant and domestic but also limited and our greatest polluter. Natural gas is much cleaner than oil and coal, but is not equipped to meet our needs and it too is finite. The fact is, roughly 90 percent of our energy needs are met by energy sources that just can’t last, especially with China, Japan, and India using so much more energy today than they did even 10 years ago.

Furthermore, at the federal (i.e., Presidential) level, very little is being done to promote renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, and more. Therein lay my energy hopes for the future of the United States. Yet at the present rate of funding, research and development, none of these resources can possibly make up the difference needed when fossil fuel supply really drops off.

Our current administration grants $60 million or so now and then to concentrated solar power research. Meanwhile billions are funneled through loopholes and tax credits to oil and gas companies. This you have discussed extensively during your recent campaign and I hold you true to your word. We have no extra money, as a country, to spend on vital new energy sources. We must reel in financing and tax credits for oil and gas and redirect that into energy sources that promise output in 10 years, 100 years and far beyond – so long as the sun shines, the wind blows and the waters flow.

I also hope that you will not turn your attention to supposed quick-fixes like clean coal and nuclear power. Nuclear power itself cannot come online fast enough to make a significant difference. Furthermore, we simply have not solved the problem of waste storage. What containers do we have that will be safe for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years? Do we want to fill up caves and warehouses across the country with radioactive waste, leaving a toxic landfill for future generations?
Rather than focusing on nuclear waste storage, I would assert a focus on renewable energy storage and transmission – two sizable hurdles to a clean energy grid that require immediate federal recognition and action.

Time is of the essence, as they say. Unfortunately, to a certain extent, it may already be too late. The odds get better every day that we will have to undergo a major energy crisis, possibly within your term or terms as President. Yet taking bold steps now to shift our energy grid toward renewables could significantly ease our pain, not to mention eradicate such pain for future generations.

It is my sincere hope that you, President Obama, will redirect our economic and energy focus away from foreign wars and fossil fuels and into a healthy, domestic, renewable energy economy. For that is the deciding factor, isn’t it? All the major issues that we presently face are interrelated. My energy hopes are tied directly to your economic hopes which affect his hopes for healthcare and her hope for her children.

The fact is that real action is needed. We the people elected you as our leader and that is exactly what we need. There is a lot of talk about centrism and “crossing aisles,” but you have been mandated by the public to take quick action. We have set you smack dab in the center of the aisle and even told you which way to walk, just as we have done with our Senators and Congress-men and -women.

We all look forward to hearing your plan…

Sincerely and with much hope,

Daniel Harding

Posted on November 13th in Solar Politics by Dan.