Denise D. Dreon – 7/2/08

This page was last updated on July 2, 2008.

We don’t need more energy lies; Denise D. Dreon; Beaver County Times; July 2, 2008.

This is an odd letter.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Republican John McCain is now making a commitment to back government investment to help produce the electric car of the future.”

[RWC] Not exactly. Mr. McCain made two related proposals. The first proposes “a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car, encouraging automakers to be first on the market with these cars in order to capitalize on the consumer incentives. For other vehicles, a graduated tax credit will apply so that the lower the carbon emissions, the higher the tax credit.”

The second proposes “A $300 million prize … for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the [currently] commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.”

“He stated this while attending a meeting at a GM plant in Ohio.

“As I recall, GM is the company who first produced an electric car (EV1 — 160 mile per charge) from 1996-1999, and its GM and big oil that led to the demise of the EV1 program in late 2003 — despite unfulfilled waiting list and positive feedback from EV1 owners.”

[RWC] You have to love conspiracy theories. Do the research and you find the EV1 died simply because it was neither economically nor technically viable for mass production. Had it been economically viable, are we to believe GM would have walked away from an opportunity to generate profit for its shareholders? As technology progresses, and especially if gasoline prices remain high, battery-powered cars may eventually become economically viable. In any case, what does this have to do with Mr. McCain?

“So, are we supposed to believe that McCain is actually sincere about this issue? He has been a Bush loyalist and proponent of increased oil exploration to solve the energy crisis.”

[RWC] Again, what did Mr. McCain have to do with the demise of the EV1?

Mr. McCain “has been a Bush loyalist?” Perhaps Ms. Dreon should check the history of the last eight years. On a side note, Ms. Dreon would probably be surprised to learn President Bush’s house is far more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than Al Gore’s. Some people talk a good story; others actually do it.

Since when does being in favor of “increased oil exploration” mean you can’t be in favor of electric cars? A responsible energy position recognizes a number of energy sources will play a role just as in the past.

“He is an advocate of building a new generation of nuclear reactors, which makes him a deceptive backer of plug-in cars. His latest display of being a waffler has appeared with his move to sign on Jim Woolsey (proposed senior energy adviser).”

[RWC] Why does supporting nuclear power make Mr. McCain “a deceptive backer of plug-in cars?” How does Ms. Dreon propose we generate the electricity needed to charge an electric car’s batteries? In addition to nuclear power, what other forms of power generation does Ms. Dreon find unacceptable? Solar? (It consumes too much land.) Hydro? (It kills fish.) Wind? (It kills birds, is noisy, and ruins the view.) Coal? (It generates evil CO₂ and mercury.) Oil? (It generates evil CO₂.) Gas (It generates evil CO₂.) And on and on …

“[L]atest display of being a waffler …? Regarding “latest,” the McCain campaign announced Mr. Woolsey as “national security and energy adviser” over two months ago on April 23^rd. How does making Mr. Woolsey his national security and energy adviser make Mr. McCain a “waffler?”

“Personally, I feel that the American people are tired of living in a dispirited state of mind. So please, Sen. McCain, spare us from anymore ‘Mission Accomplished’ governmental lies.”

[RWC] Wow! How do we get from the EV1 to “Mission Accomplished,” and how do they get put on Mr. McCain’s lap? Now you know what I meant when I noted above this was an odd letter.