States, not Congress, are energy leaders

From an editorial in the Sheboygan Press:

Wisconsin has positioned itself well for the development of alternative fuels that someday will replace the fossil fuels we are now burning.


We are well ahead of the curve on the conversion of cellulose-based materials into fuel, whether it be corn, corn stover, wood waste or switch grass.

For sure, the state is doing its part not only to research and develop the fuels of the future that will reduce the amount of oil needed to be imported — and boost the state's economy at the same time. Wisconsin is also blessed with one of the best research facilities in the world — the University of Wisconsin, which also puts us well ahead of other states.

Whether you agree with the conclusions of Gov. Jim Doyle's Global Warming Task Force or not, the fact remains that the world's supply of fossil fuels — oil and coal in particular — is not unlimited, and demand will not likely decrease.

Alternative sources of energy must be the focus now and in the future.

Proponents of drilling for oil in ocean waters off the U.S. shore and in the Alaskan wilderness make a strong argument — and these ideas deserve to be considered along with nuclear power as the nation looks for energy answers.

But we think the more immediate and longer-term solution to energy needs is development of renewable sources, which have the potential of reducing the cost of energy.

Once the oil and coal are gone, they are gone for good. Not so with many of the energy sources already in use or under study; they are renewable and can be further developed and made more efficient and less costly.

It would be great if Congress had the same focus on energy that Wisconsin and other states have. While individual states can play a role in finding the solutions to the energy future, the lack of a national energy policy and plan leaves the U.S. in a vulnerable position when dealing with supply and demand issues.

But there is nothing to indicate that Congress, which will come back into session following Labor Day, has any intention of tackling energy issues before the November election.

But when they do, perhaps our federal lawmakers can take a cue from states such as Wisconsin that have set realistic goals of using more renewable sources of energy and are encouraging the research into alternative fuel sources.

What the nation doesn't need are short-term, feel-good ideas being promoted by the presidential candidates, like John McCain's proposal for a gas tax holiday or Barack Obama's call for tapping into the nation's oil reserve.