[Platapus]

I think that strategically, fossil fuels should only be used for power plants that move, such as automobiles and aircraft. The energy to mass of fossil fuels makes this attractive.


For those power plants that don't move, alternate fuel such as natural gas. geothermal, nuclear thermal, hydro, and the like. The energy to mass of these fuel sources makes them better suited for non mobile power plants.



As for oil supplies, when there is a resource with such a strong strategic value, there is wisdom in using other country's sources first and to conserve your own. Relatively soon, the middle east will start to run out of oil and therefore will become less relevant.


It may be more expensive in the short term, but the long term effects may justify the expense.



You do not want to be the first country to run out of oil, but the last country to.



In the mean time, efforts should be focused on either finding new energy sources or in how to use existing fuel resources better.