The quest for renewable energy

The governor for the state where I live announced today that within four years 50% of our energy will come from renewable sources. This is a wonderful idea. Certainly gaining in popularity and momentum. Politicians can say these things without really doing anything about them because there is little backlash against and many people vocally support these initiatives. What makes me laugh is why do people support the search for renewable energy and what are their motivations?

The days of this being a topic of dyed in the wool liberals and eco-terrorist environmentalists have passed. With the cost of gas at the pump rising without any sign of abating, and our increasing dependence on foreign oil, Americans are looking for alternatives. Now we have a time where it is nearly as popular to talk about energy alternatives, as it is to publicly crucify smokers. Oh, how things have changed in the last fifteen years. Where everyone smoked and no one wanted to talk about doing away with their gas guzzlers.

Actually, that hasn’t changed. Even with all the energy talk soccer moms don’t want to even broach the subject of dumping their road pig SUV’s. They want cheap-renewable energy that doesn’t hurt anyone while still letting them leave their computers on all day, the AC cranked up and endlessly driving to dance classes and underwater basket weaving classes at the local Y.