****Sweden plans to be world's first oil-free economy****

[AGENDA21]

Sweden is to take the biggest energy step of any advanced western economy by trying to wean itself off oil completely within 15 years - without building a new generation of nuclear power stations.

The attempt by the country of 9 million people to become the world's first practically oil-free economy is being planned by a committee of industrialists, academics, farmers, car makers, civil servants and others, who will report to parliament in several months.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/oil/story/0,,1704954,00.html

[mattclearing]

1. What a great idea. Seems like what we'd be doing if we had

President Gore.

:-(

[Nimrod2005]

2. Sweden is one my favorite countries in the WORLD!!!

I go there often, always see HUGE areas of wind power generators for mile and miles. They are already ahead, now they will stand alone I hope!!!

[DemExpat]

3. Sweden really seems like an innovative country.

I visited there last year when my daughter was studying there for a semester, and I was very impressed with what I saw and felt.

We all need to get ideas from their vision!

DemEx

[bigscott]

4. i will add sweden to the list

of countries i might move to unless we retake Congress in 2006 and the WH in 2008

[wysiwyg]

5. It'd be great if they can pull it off

Even though it probably wouldn't have the impact that just having better mileage standards in a country like the USA would have.

Also, in addition to fuel oil-based lubricants in vehicles and other machinery can be replaced by synthetic oil. I don't know what the synthetics are actually made of though.

[BlueEyedSon]

6. I think a small "sun belt" country would have an even easier job

[nickinSTL]

7. good news

but I'd think Iceland would be able to do it quicker, as they're moving to mostly geothermal for heat and seem to be making a serious effort to switch to hydrogen-powered vehicles.

[orwell]

8. Why does Sweden...

...hate America?

[Initech]

9. Looks like I'll be moving to Sweden then!

I dont care how cold it is there - not having to pay for oil would be the greatest thing in the world! :woohoo:

[Javaman]

10. I'm sure exxon has a thing or two to say about that...link

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=1590207