Bush: US On Verge of Energy Breakthrough

Hot air in Washington, D.C. halls of power are incapable of being tapped as an energy source. So, we're forced to rely on other, less proven technologies:

One of Bush's proposals would expand research into smaller, longer-lasting batteries for electric-gas hybrid cars, including plug-ins. He highlighted that initiative with a visit Monday to the battery center at Milwaukee-based auto-parts supplier Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI)

During his trip, Bush is also focusing on a proposal to increase investment in development of clean electric power sources, and proposals to speed the development of biofuels such as "cellulosic" ethanol made from wood chips or sawgrass.

Energy conservation groups and environmentalists say they're pleased that the president, a former oil man in Texas, is stressing alternative sources of energy, but they contend his proposals don't go far enough. They say the administration must consider greater fuel-efficiency standards for cars, and some economists believe it's best to increase the gas tax to force consumers to change their driving habits.

Increasing the gas tax would increase inflation and drive the economy into neutral. That's not what we'd want. I understand the need to wean folks off petroleum products, but taxing them isn't going to do it.