Energy Department Debacle

How many times can we see waste and failure before we demand change? The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. 32 years later we stand in the same, if not worse place, beholden to foreign interests.

Currently, the budget for this agency is $24.2 billion. No question that this agency does some fine work, but it is clear that it has failed at its primary mandate. Common sense tells us that this agency either needs to be renamed or it needs to revisit its priorities.

Let's have some courage and mandate that no new oil based combustion engine cars can be sold after 2015. This gives the auto manufacturers 6 years to retool and reinvent. Natural Gas can be the transition but eventually fuel cell, battery, or some other power source will dominate. This also gives American automakers an opportunity to start fresh and maybe just get ahead of the foreign competition since eneryone will be starting from the same point.

All it takes is a little courage!