Latest Breaking News

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

22. What did it "cost" to build railroad lines across the US?

Tue Jul 31, 2012, 02:56 PM

Jul 2012

What did it "cost" to build pipelines to everywhere, USA?

What did it "cost" to build our network of highways and airports?

Whatever the cost, if we decide we want to do this, we will find the money.

Why don't we use the money that would be spent on that pipeline for the Canadian tar sands oil to build solar panels everywhere in the Southwest and an electricity system that could carry that energy across the US instead?

I live in Southern California, and there is lots of room for solar energy panels. The study did not include placing panels on parking lots. That is where we should start -- that and on homes. People are already starting to put them on rural land that isn't really good for farming. There is a lot of that in California.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

45 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

NREL Study: Solar Power could provide 100 Times the Amount of Current U.S. Electricity Needs! [View all] kpete Jul 2012 OP

Yeah, but how are the energy moguls gonna make money? Scuba Jul 2012 #1

Yes, because making those rich people richer is the MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD. nt valerief Jul 2012 #31

I have only one concern about solar Marrah_G Jul 2012 #2

If you google home energy storage you'll see that Solar City has a lithium ion system available now. truthisfreedom Jul 2012 #8

Nice- thank you :) Marrah_G Jul 2012 #26

It can also be stored as compressed air, water pumped to a height, in a heated or chilled solution.. DCKit Jul 2012 #11

How about just pushing it into the "grid"? xtraxritical Jul 2012 #14

With so many distributed options, you don't have to "push" anything onto the grid. DCKit Aug 2012 #38

I had no idea there were so many options! Marrah_G Jul 2012 #27

I haven't read other responses but if I may weigh in jonthebru Jul 2012 #13

Hard to imagine elsewhere in the US, but the clouds rarely cover the sun JDPriestly Jul 2012 #18

I agree- we need to get the heck away from fossil fuels Marrah_G Jul 2012 #28

These estimates are from a good source. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #17

I would love to see wind, solar and water as the primary means of power someday soon Marrah_G Jul 2012 #29

Use excess solar power to run giant outdoor fans during the day 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #41

Problems with this report. happyslug Jul 2012 #3

every party's got to have a pooper leftyohiolib Jul 2012 #6

A carbon tax could and should help pay for the cost. n/t Uncle Joe Jul 2012 #12

China and Germany are gradually moving toward solar. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #20

The purpose of my comment was to put this report in prespective happyslug Jul 2012 #24

We will be undergoing a major restructuring of our society over the next few decades regardless of Uncle Joe Aug 2012 #45

Cost? The Doctor. Jul 2012 #4

The report clearly states costs were NOT considered. happyslug Jul 2012 #5

What did it "cost" to build railroad lines across the US? JDPriestly Jul 2012 #22

$20Trillion in round numbers One_Life_To_Give Aug 2012 #42

Hey, solar could be used to subsidize the oil companies and everyone would be happy. nt Kablooie Jul 2012 #7

The biggest problem with solar... JohnnyRingo Jul 2012 #9

Quck! Here comes Rmoney to make sure we "level the playing field" by cutting any support/credits for AllyCat Jul 2012 #10

Yes, but will solar powered cars make loud "vroom" noises? primavera Jul 2012 #15

I would point out many of the "vroomiest" cars are not "Amurikan." nt Codeine Jul 2012 #34

Second problem, electricy generation is only 16% of the energy used in the US. happyslug Jul 2012 #16

The day of the electric car will come sooner than you think. JDPriestly Jul 2012 #23

The electric car will come, but most people will replace they gas jobs with a bicycle happyslug Jul 2012 #35

Interesting ideas, of course, bicycles are not practical for many people over 65. JDPriestly Aug 2012 #37

As to Streetcars, I use to live on the last Streetcar line in Pittsburgh. happyslug Aug 2012 #39

Very interesting. I live in an area that was first developed as a suburb in the period JDPriestly Aug 2012 #44

A mere $120Trillion installed One_Life_To_Give Aug 2012 #43

Stop Building Coal Plants. Stop Licensing Nuke Plants and Go Renewable triplepoint Jul 2012 #19

Too bad it's about 30 years too late to make a difference NickB79 Jul 2012 #21

DID YOU KNOW???? DreamSmoker Jul 2012 #25

Sunpower rks306 Jul 2012 #30

This is awesome news. Dont call me Shirley Jul 2012 #32

Renewables are not a small portion of our power supply at almost 12% Sirveri Jul 2012 #33

12% of 14% is still is only 1.68% happyslug Aug 2012 #40

awesome we can stop the fracking now right? limpyhobbler Jul 2012 #36