It seems that with alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar, the United States has the potential means to substantially reduce our dependence on oil - especially once plug-in cars are on the market.

But until we substantially upgrade our nation's electrical grid with modern technology that will enable the energy created by these sources to be transmitted intelligently around the county, their impact will be limited.

It's going to take a greater commitment from Congress to jump start this. Making it happen will provide a huge boost to our economy, environment and political leverage with the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela and more.

The electrical grid is only part of the puzzle. It is certainly a major roadblock to all-electric vehicles. Even with massive solar and wind installations, don't expect the Kwh rates to go tumbling down. The first step to modern electric generation is by converting existing power plants to cleaner, alternative fuels.

Do whatever it takes.

This needs to get done. Energy independence now or conflict and pollution to continue.

There is no other way.

Until then, each person can start building his/her own little oasis of energy with off-the-shelf technology.

The transmission grid is critically important to bringing alternative energy on line from its remote locations.

I recently say a documentary on Nikola Tesla that mentioned that he had developed a means of delivering energy wirelessly. Somebody should look into rediscovering it.

Typo - that should have been "saw".

and thanks for clipmarks! I love this site!

I recently say a documentary on Nikola Tesla that mentioned that he had developed a means of delivering energy wirelessly. Somebody should look into rediscovering it.

Jorjor, people are looking into it. http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/9D056FC4-C1E9-4705-A7E2-386F58FF17C5/ Has some links.

The solution can be summed up in one word...nuclear. Cheap and extremely efficient. Solar and wind won't make a dent.

Tesla had some interesting ideas but can you imagine the havoc his power transmission techniques would wreak with our modern electronics and communication systems. If you started throwing that kind of power into the atmosphere these days nearly every piece of electronic equipment you own would go wacko.

Put nuclear on the table until you have a waste disposal plan inked and a uranium mining plan that isn't the worst thing that ever happened to a region. Uranium mining is ecologically ruinous.