[jyl]

Cue the Road Warrior theme . . .

I think that is too bleak.

For stationary power uses (i.e. generating electricity) there is nuclear, solar, wind, even coal and natural gas have a place. France gets 80% of its electricity from 58 nuclear power plants (the country started building its nuclear infrastructure during the oil shocks of the 1970s). Germany gets 14% of its electricity from renewable sources (wind the largest, also hydro, biomass, landfill gas, solar), this was only 6% in 2000. Europe is pretty motivated to develop alternative energy sources, because their natural gas comes from Russia which has been blatant about restricting supplies as a political weapon. We (the US) could get equally motivated about developing alternative energy sources too.

For mobile power uses (vehicles) there are biofuels, synthetic gasoline (from coal or natgas), hydrogen fuel cell, and for shorter periods batteries. The US military is investigating running its vehicles and aircraft on alternative fuels, not just for environmental reasons but for logistical and energy independence reasons. I think a USAF bomber just took a test flight on biofuels.

I hope we get aggressive about it, rather than let the oil industry and the oil producing customers lull us back to oil dependence the next time the oil price dips.