RFK, Jr., presents energy plan

Parent Cafe
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<p>In a short article in Vanity Fair, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., calls for decarbonization of the US economy through a switch to “clean” electricity:</p>

<p>[The</a> Next President’s First Task: Politics & Power: vanityfair.com](<a href=“http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/rfk_manifesto200805]The”>The Next President's First Task | Vanity Fair)</p>

<p>He argues that most of our energy needs could be met by wind farms in the Midwest and solar energy from the deserts of the southwest. An essential component is the construction of a new power grid to carry the electricity generated in these areas to the rest of the country. The new grid would have to be based on DC transmission, rather than AC. AC lines cannot be used over long distances without substantial loss of power; DC lines can. Also, DC lines can accommodate power from asynchronous sources. The technology exists (see, for example, the Siemens website for a HVDC primer). Keep in mind that the alternatives (clean coal, construction of nuclear plants) would be extraordinarily expensive.</p>

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<p>Nuclear plants are extraordinarily expensive…does he have any idea what wind farms & solar plants would cost to electrify our entire transport structure?</p>

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<p>IMHO, energy is the most critical issue facing the US today. Although I’d rather hear more about proposed energy solutions from the presidential candidates, it’s at least a start that individuals in positions of power are beginning to take notice and to offer up viable ideas.</p>

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<p>Ill bet he doesn’t support wind farms in the Long Island Sound… :rolleyes:</p>