Position on Energy Development

 The younger generation has a theme song, "It's Getting Hot Out Here"...  Meanwhile, the debate rages about the validity of the claim of Global Warming.  The high cost of oil, the weather fluctuations and changing population demographics all point to changes in energy dynamics for which scientific answers are not always obvious or clear.

What's Ailing Us? - We Need A Rational Energy Policy

The dependency on oil by this and other nations is creating a pricing run up as more limited easy access supplies dwindle. China has over 1.3 billion people, India over 1.1 billion and this nation approaches almost 300 million, all of whom are increasingly "addicted to oil."

The depots for oil include locations in more pristine environs such as Alaska, more remote regions such as the artic sections of Russia, the more volatile nations of Africa, or in rock formations which require technology such as slant drilling and more off-shore drilling. The issue for the next decades is pay now or pay later. If we fail to invest in alternative fuels now we may potentially create a vast wasteland of death and destruction due to oil wars, storage depots which can become terrorist targets or rapings of the earth.

Dr. Fisher's Prescription - Develop Alternative Energy Sources and Sustainable Products
Though many people are obsessed with the need for new oil exploration or investment in nuclear technology, there are tried and true methods which exist that are safer and more environmental friendly.

• Solar power works and is cheap. Oak Ridge National Laboratories already has panels which can be brought to industry and fulfill these needs. A current example is lighting packs used along some highways, home heating, and a car developed by EcoVehicle.com.

• Hydroelectric power exist and with modifications to existing dams, much useful energy could be produced. Nothing fancy but it works.

• Hydrogen fuel cells have some volatility which has to be controlled but the Energy Conversion Devices Company has developed a range of products that are marketable and can be cheaper. Why doesn't the government buy these products to begin its work?

• Wind power can be harnessed and is being used on a limited basis in the mid-West.

• Biomass fuels such as the "Switch Grass" of which the president spoke are already being researched. Canada has quite an industry using Hemp fuels; however the eroneous association of this with marijuana has kept it out of consideration. And then there is ethanol.

Sustainable products such as porous asphalt which decreases the need for run-off catchment basins do much to protect the environment, spare long term cost in maintainence of roads and cut-down on the asphalt (an oil derivative) used in construction. Historic restorations, renovations and alternative uses for buildings and existing structures can spare the environmental destruction which some developments can create, increase profitability to builders and the construction industry, and preserve the history of towns. Downtown Charlotte has wonderfully restored structures which are being creatively used for other than originally constructed. Old Greensborough, the Bennett College area and Jamestown are just a few sites in Guilford County which are being revitalized. The entire town of Salisbury has been dedicated to preserving itself in its Historic traditions. And Davidson County's Big Chair are just examples of how who we have been can continue to help define our future. 

Dr. Ada M. Fisher is a licensed teacher for secondary education in mathematics and science, previous elected school board member, physician and is the Republican candidate for the NC 12^th US Congressional District.  Contact her at P. O. Box 777; Salisbury, NC 28145, telephone (704) 637-6134 or DrFisher@DrAdaMFisher.org.