Most of our imported oil comes from Canada, Mexico and Venezuela. And while Hugo Chavez likes to poke President Bush in the eye from time to time, he is not about to jeopardize the enormous investments Venezuela has already made in this country.

I find it ironic that a report of a major Georgia Bioenergy Conference in Tifton also appeared in the Aug. 2 edition. A sustainable energy future, based on renewable energy sources within our borders, is not just a theoretical possibility, but a dynamic reality, which will become more apparent in 2007.

While corn-based ethanol gasoline and soybean and rapeseed bio-diesel currently rate the headlines, research in other technologies has gone beyond the laboratory, beyond the pilot facility, into full-scale production. One company is building a 500,000 gallon combined ethanol and biodiesel refinery in North Carolina which can use agricultural and forest waste, as well as food crops, as feed stock.

Three projected wind turbines located well offshore Tybee could supply enough electric energy for over 3,000 homes. Rooftop solar panels on the millions of square feet of warehouses and distribution centers associated with the growth of the port could meet most of the needs of the booming housing developments on the Westside.

By next year utility-strength concentrating solar power fields, using the heat of the sun to generate electricity, will be in production in Arizona, New Mexico, California and Nevada.

Over 1-million geothermal heating and cooling systems have already been installed (though few in Georgia). They can cut electric bills from 35 to 60 percent. Solar hot water heaters can trim over 15 percent.

Animal waste from dairy, poultry and pig farms can be converted into methane gas to produce heat and electricity. Landfills can also be a source of energy. The rivers and streams of America can spin the turbines of micro-hydroelectric plants.

The technologies are already in place. All we need is the political will to implement them. -- Jack Star

Energy Independence

The first step to energy independence is to reduce consumption. But that means more than just changing air handling filters once a month, checking air pressure in tires, and substituting a dozen compact fluorescent bulbs. Serious reduction in consumption requires some up front investment.

With all the residential construction now ongoing, and plans for thousands of new homes in the coming years, here’s a scenario that leverages a minor investment to obtain a major long-term reduction in energy consumption.

The base plan calls for:

1. a well insulated house with a highly efficient heating/airconditioning unit
2. lighting fixtures that accommodate fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs;
3. digital programmable thermostat
4. timer for the hot water heater
5. Energy Star appliances
6. a solar hot water system
7. a starter solar electric system (approx. 500 watt)

This small investment would yield a cut in the electric bill of 30% for the next 25-30 years. Most homeowners do not live in the same house for that length of time, but these energy efficient investments would be paid back when the house is sold.

Further, while the costs of electricity are projected to increase over time, the cost of solar electric modules will be coming down sharply, allowing the homeowner to add less expensive solar panels in the future and cut energy costs an additional 20% to 30%.

This formula, of an additional 3% to 4% increase in the purchase price, also applies to more expensive homes, resulting in similar savings.

Houses undergoing extensive renovation can also incorporate the basic package. -- Jack Star