ttystikk
Well-Known Member
You mentioned trains and I think that's an important topic, because it shows the REAL commitment of a country to environmental goals. Soooooo much of the world's track mileage is electric, including nearly every mile of high speed passenger rail. Europe and Asia both operate vast routes on electric traction.
Why? Costs of both operation and maintenance are lower. It's that simple. Forget all the bullshit about needing to build special power plants. Yes, generation capacity must be increased but that's still cheaper than all the oil that has to be extracted and refined.
America has resisted converting to electric traction for nearly a century because of up front costs and fossil fuel subsidies. Ending those subsidies and assisting their electric conversion would be a huge step in reducing American pollution, CO2 emissions and even health problems.
Since it's such a no brainer, why is it such a nonstarter here in America? Corporate money in politics, specifically the oil industry; they sell huge quantities of cheap low grade diesel to railroads and they don't want to see that business go away.
Until America takes a stand against Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway owns a big chunk of Union Pacific, among other affected holdings) and the oil industry, this won't change. And until it changes, I have a lot of trouble believing any politician who says they're committed to a green future.
