Comments kduble has made

Northerners already equiped for plug-ins

I've always suspected a good place to introduce plug-in hybrids would be in Minnesota and the Dakotas -- places where people are already in the habit of plugging in their cars during the winter months to keep their engines from freezing.

Ken Duble

Motor fuels tax trumps CAFE

While in complete agreement with the concerns of Chris and Greenpeace, a motor fuels tax will beat regulation every time.  If forced to choose between a phased-in, gradually escalating motor fuels tax and every single provision stripped from the bill, I would go with the tax.  As the light truck phenomenon shows, Madison Avenue will always find a way around CAFE.  If CAFE does not apply to earth-moving equipment, advertisers will make soccer moms feel safe in earth-moving equipment.
A reasonable motor fuels tax would rise 5 cents a year for the first five years and 10 cents a year for the next 10.  As the typical motorist would change vehicles two or three times in that 15-year time span, drivers would have plenty of time to replace their vehicles with more fuel-efficient ones, and Detroit would have plenty of time to supply them.
Although petroleum scarcity will increase prices as much as the tax during this period, by accelerating the demand curve for clean transportation we buy ourselves more time before the oil runs out, and reduce emissions at the same time.

Ken Duble

Canadian conservatives

Conservative coalitions in Canada have been short-lived. The last conservative PM was Joe Clark back in the 1980s. Seems like his tenure in office was measured in months. If you'd taken a nap you'd have missed him.

Ken Duble

Reefs are where the action is!

I echo the thoughts of Capeguy.  Most of the ocean is underwater desert.  Coral reefs are the true venues of vitality.  To the extent they encourage reef development, such structures as turbine platforms benefit marine life.

Ken Duble

These nuptuals are making waves....

A novel approach to animal husbandry!

Ken Duble

Density in Seattle

Perhaps it is a paradox that energy-efficient density in development will result in more energy use for Seattle. The big picture, however, is that the lifestyles of these new residents will be more energy-efficient in Seattle than they would have been elsewhere. A person isn't going to live in Seattle and Atlanta at the same time. Hence, living in Seattle is a better choice for the planet, and this represents a net reduction. Think globally, act locally.

Ken Duble

Yet another reference to a supreme being?

One would think methodology for Christ's sake to be the very thing you oppose.

Ken Duble

Federal tax credit needed

This concept argues for a federal income tax credit to offset the cost. Of course, we need to continue to move toward renewable electricity in order for the car to be truly green.

Ken Duble

Feelings of futility

One thing that has broken down since the 1970s is a shared sense of sacrifice.  Back then, when I kept my subcompact at 55, I felt I was contributing to the greater good.  Now, however, with our president putting his security detail in SUVs, police departments using SUVs, housewives driving SUVs, urban stockbrokers communting to work in farm trucks and the California governor driving Hummers, I feel kind of absurd trying to keep my 3-cylinder vehicle below 55.On Umbra on speed limits posted 4 years, 2 months ago 10 Responses

Why Bubba should buy less gas

The whole point is it doesn't matter how simple you make the concept if it doesn't touch the value system of the audience you're trying to reach.  Changing attitudes that result from cultural cognition could take generations.  We don't have that kind of time.  What is more important, having people think the right way or keeping the Gulf of Mexico away from Bourbon Street?

I've long seen the need to present environmental protection in terms that red states understand: Power monopolies are anti-free enterprise, energy alternatives are about consumer choice, renewable power is 100% made-in-the-USA, wilderness camping strengthens family bonds, we support the troops by not trading with the sheikdoms that provide bullets to shoot them, and trading that SUV for a hybrid means fewer petrol dollars to fund the Saudi madrasas that teach Wahhabism to terrorist wanabees.

Ken Duble

Right-turn-on-red

Okay, here's one of my pet peeves.  Congress passed a law mandating states to have right-turn-on-red laws, yet no state has ever designated far-right lanes for right turns.  We seldom take advantage of this fuel-saving concept because some nimrod planning to continue straight always blocks the lane.  If we have three lanes going in one direction, why not reduce them to two following an intersection, then flare back to three before the next.  Presto: We increase the carrying capacity of the road by using LESS asphalt.  Why are no states doing this?

Another pet peeve:  Traffic lights going from green to red in the dead of night, with cars senselessly idling without another car in sight.  Why not put these on flashing red late at night?

Ken Duble

No doubt?

There is indeed doubt that coal is going to have to be a part of America's energy future.  The decision to turn to coal for future energy needs is a political choice rather than a scientific necessity.

While renewable fuels may cost more in the short term, coal costs more in the long run.

Ken Duble

Smart Cars

I was seeing these in Europe six years ago.  What is taking so long?

Ken Duble

Sustainability

When addressing conservatives, it is important to use language they understand.  When envisioning a corporate polluter, I imagine myself being a conservative discussing a single mom.  I speak of "owning up to one's behavior" or "not expecting the government to pick up the costs when things go wrong."  In the case of an SUV driver complaining about the price of fuel, "When are these people going to learn to take responsibility for their actions." Hey, it works for me!

Ken Duble

Nantucket Sound

The Europeans are developing massive offshore platform wind turbines.  Perhaps this could be the answer:  Huge structures at or beyond the horizon that could partially allay visibility concerns.

I, personally, don't find wind-driven devices unsightly.  This doesn't seem to have ever been an issue for the Dutch.  Sure beats a vista of brown haze.

Ken Duble