I pledge my unfettered support for growth in funding and investment in scientific and technological research so that the US may regain its position as the world leader in innovation. I have unbridled optimism that America’s ingenuity can solve many of the problems that we face today concerning the energy crisis (i.e. foreign oil dependence), the lagging economy, terrorism, pollution, etc. I advocate a modern day “Manhattan Project” type organization devoted to scientific study, research, and implementation of alternative energy sources, conservation, and increased fuel efficiency. Not only would this be a boon to scientists, engineers, researchers, etc., it would fuel our economy in creating new jobs in all types of fields in American made energy, environmentalism, tourism, manufacturing, etc., etc. We must take all logical, cost effective, and environmentally sound alternatives to produce American made energy!
My number one initiative to invigorate the economy, stop terrorism, and protect the environment is to pass a law that would be akin to creating a modern day "Manhattan Project" (the name for the secret research project to invent the atomic bomb in World War II, prior to our enemies). Instead of putting together our best scientific minds to create the atomic bomb, I would put together our best scientific minds and engineers to make all types of alternative energy sources a practical reality and refine other traditional energy sources (e.g. the hydrogen fuel cell; cars powered by lithium batteries or other electrical sources such as hybrids; renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower; clean coal technologies; nuclear power; etc.). Perfecting the hydrogen fuel cell, for example, would have political, economic, and social repercussions that would fantastically and positively change the US and the world. From a political standpoint, it would help stop terrorism in the long run. The US economy is highly dependent upon oil. Part of the reason that Al Qaeda is attacking the US is that they do not want western culture and religion in the Middle East. By ridding ourselves of oil dependency, we can reduce our involvement and presence in the Middle East and bring our troops home since we would have no huge financial interest to protect the free flow of oil. There will be no more wars to protect oil fields. Second, in the short term, such a policy would immediately cause gas prices to fall. OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) and oil refiners would realize that they would have to increase production to reduce price, or otherwise the hydrogen fuel cell and other alternatives would replace oil. The decreases in oil and gas prices would be a boon for the economy, decreasing business costs, creating jobs, decreasing inflation, and promoting tourism. Third, it would be an environmental boon! The hydrogen fuel cell's only by-product is water vapor. Pollution would fall tremendously. "Green house" gases would be significantly reduced decreasing global warning. There would be no need to explore for oil in nature preserves as in Alaska or have oil spills.
This is an issue of national security. As it becomes harder and harder for oil to be found and supplied to the US, the greater our need becomes to rely upon foreign sources of oil production who do not necessarily have our best interests at heart and may be outright hostile to this country (several such countries belong to OPEC). The manipulation of oil prices to increase the cost of oil has been done since the 1970's and has currently led to the tripling of gas prices since 2003 and the rise of the price of oil to over $100.00 per barrel. Continued manipulation of the supply of oil in a malevolent manner could cripple our energy supplies and bring our economy to its knees. AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FROM OIL IS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE AND MUST BE A NATIONAL PRIORITY!
-"The big powers are seriously trying to find alternatives to oil by seeking to draw energy from the sun or water. We hope to God they will not succeed quickly because are position in that case will be painful." -Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Yamani, oil minister of Saudi Arabia, 1976.
-Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe.
-Hydrogen fuel cell cars, buses, and trucks have been on the roads for decades, but continued research is necessary to make them commonly and economically affordable to all.