Ideas on a way forward in the energy crisis

1. Tax breaks to companies producing plug-in cars (electric). Tax exemptions for people purchasing plug-ins.


2. Increase taxes on petrol. This will boost tax income to maintain roads in the face of reduced petrol purchase volume. On top of the oil price this maintains the incentive for people to switch to plug-ins. The rich will continue to do what they want, and they can afford it, so government subsidies will be made available on an income basis for plug-in purchases.


3. Overhaul the power grid. Enable it with smart controls (software managing the load). Provide capability for DC tie-ins to allow for future expansion of renewable sources (wind and solar farms which are often far from the consumer).


4. Sell diesel and petrol permits to commercial and small business drivers that depend on transportation for their business model. This is to enable the commerce sector access to affordable fuel and prevent the economy from seizing. Businesses that can use plug-ins should also do so.


5. Overhaul the mass transportation systems. Capacity must be based on population and paid for by taxes as such. Residents that pay for the system in taxes must have access to the system in a practical manner.


6. Mandate garbage sorting for recyclables at the landfill and reuse/export the materials as necessary. Subsidize post consumer products as needed until it is a common business model.
7. Tax all the little plastic crap that costs consumers less than a few bucks but uses precious petroleum that must now be allocated to more necessary uses.
8. Tax all petrol based entertainment racing. NASCAR, moto GP, off road, Indy car, short track, drag racing, water sports, all or them: cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles and boats. Every single needless and excessive use of petrol for entertainment purposes must cost their true value in oil or cease to be.
9. Allow airfare to cost the price of the service. Bailing out poorly run airlines only prolongs the end result which is that flying costs too much to be used in the current form.
10. Mandate conservation education at all levels of the education system.