"...fossil-fuel industries are critical players in moving to renewables, arguing that over the last seven years they have spent $188 billion on research and development on new energy technologies -- $121 billion of those dollars from the oil and gas industry."

The main emphasis of fossil industry investment is to buy up patents for renewable/conservation energy technology and keep it from competing with fossil fuels by shelving the inventions.

If industry subsidies were diverted to government production contracts for these devices, like plugin hybrid cars, in a similar mode to WW II war production, reduction in oil and fossil fuel demand could proceed in an orderly, economy buoying fashion.  

Prices would stabilize, ensuring the fossil industry a steady profit picture and plenty of time to transition their investments to the new energy economy.

But as with WW II war production, national security, which depends upon halting economic devestation, oil wars, and GHG climate change, will dictate that necessary patents be unshelved to spur innovation.

Much like the Feingold offshore drilling plan says to the oil industry, use the leases you already have or lose them to someone who will use them; the same would be done with crucial patents, like better batteries and solar PV cells.

Use the patents to mass produce the technology or lose them.  Invention comes from the muse and education systems funded by we the people.  Give it up for humanity and the future of the planet oilers.

Wreck the planet with corporate monopoly gaming and it's your asses too.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin