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Originally Posted by Zachstar
Nice try but polywell fusion got a huge boost of funding under Obama compared to Bush.
And solar can be a serious energy source IF more money flowed into research instead of feel good large projects.
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Yes, polywell fusion research did get some funding recently. And that's good. But how about putting money into things we can start immediately. Like funding actual production of new power plants for current generation of energy. That hasn't seen a dime. And that's what we need. We could immediately begin power production using light water reactors and HTGR's for energy needs now. I'm happy for the research into polywell fusion, but will the environmentalists who fund democrats actually impede it's usage when ready? I tend to think so. Especially as history is a judge. And solar can be a good supplemental source of energy, but it's not going to power the full needs of our economy at current technology.
And yes, whether you like it or not, we still need oil. And we would have much more domestic inflow had we started ten years ago when they were using the same old argument you used above. The lesson....don't listen to liberals regarding energy policy. That turned out to be "delay, deny, then lay the blame ten years later".
I do like your thinking regarding fusion technology, but I have no confidence that your people will truly follow up on it. Even the funding done regarding this technology is in the millions. Not the billions it should be. As such, I'm happy Obama has looked at this as an option. But still the response is rather lackluster. The point is, Republicans want to put energy systems we need online now while researching alternatives. Although I do also wish they would also emphasize more research as well. Democrats aren't giving us anything in terms of energy projects that are needed now. Realistic ones that is.
P.S. After reading a little more into Polywell research, it appears EMC2 gives 2020 as the earliest we would be able to see any operational status. Not counting delays or overruns. Research is important into this area for sure. But in the meantime, we have to generate power now. This is why supporting democrats gives us no bang for the buck.