Not sure why you equate petroleum with electricity. That is so 20th century. Over 90% of new generating capacity, even in this renewables-hostile administration, is coming from solar and wind. We have rooftop solar and an electric car we charge at home, so indirectly a solar car, as well.
Years ago I lived in an Airstream trailer. I found a lovely place to live right next to the La Plata River near Durango, CO. Since there was no electrical service, I bought two PV panels, 35 watts each, which were sufficient for my electrical needs (at the time, the panels cost $200 each. Now, a 100 watt panel on Amazon sells for $89). On one sunny day in Arizona's mesquite forest, I ran my entire electrical system—swamp cooler, fan, computer, hard drive, and printer—off the top of fully charged batteries. I was satisfied with solar and the freedom from 'utilities' it gave. But, I always wondered when the day would come when solar energy was sufficient to produce more solar panels.
What you say here is mostly true. My point was simply to call out your statement that petroleum=electricity as false. Most electricity now, here and worldwide, comes from renewables, not from petroleum. Read Bill McKibben's book Falter. Towards the end, he details how parts of rural Africa have been acquiring electricity for the first time...from small-scale solar. Petroleum-based electricity had never bothered to serve these people, ever. But now solar does and their lives are transformed.
Sorry, Peter, but the assertion "Most electricity now, here and worldwide, comes from renewables, not from petroleum" is not correct. Pasted below is an AI-augmented analysis. I don't have the sources that the AI consulted, but it's not my original research:
The U.S. electricity mix is quite different from the global mix because the United States has shifted heavily from coal to natural gas and renewables.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of approximate recent electricity generation shares:
Correct on your part. I meant to include the words "newly added", as in newly added power to the grid:
"More than 90% of all new electricity capacity added to the global grid in 2024 and 2025 came from renewable sources, driven heavily by a surge in solar installations. Solar PV and wind are the fastest-growing sources, with solar alone contributing roughly 6.9% of total global electricity generation as of early 2025."
Energy is energy. Fossil fuels represent solar energy captured many millions of years ago. We have managed to harness that energy; the trick is to use it to fashion sustainable renewals such as photoelectric panels and wind turbines, instead of driving all over the place and waging wars globally, not to speak of electrifying silly chatbots.
So I’m on my way up to New York from Florida and all there are as far as the eye can see are trucks . We talk about the price of gas to fill our cars well who is indirectly paying for gas for trucks that bring goods to the different parts of our country .Do you think the companies trying to make a profit are going to absorb the costs? I don’t think so. I just love how our president tells us how we have to tighten our belts and how he thought the price of oil would be more than it is and then in the same breath gushes over his ballroom while people have lost there jobs and are trying to make ends meet .
If there's any justice, Lil Marco becomes so tainted with his association with Trump that he can never get the stench off and fades into the political sunset. Class-less, disgusting opportunist.
I think it is because Trump is SECRETLY a big environmentalist. But Maga, his base, hates environmentalism. So... how can he encourage better environment? Why of course, start a war which will raise gas prices so high everyone will buy EVs again and look for better alternatives and cut down on gas in general. Or maybe he has a deal with Musk to do this? Clever clever man. You have him all wrong.
One would almost think that Bob Brecha is against this latest Trumpian imperialist adventure! I am relatively isolated, and I wonder if this perception of reality is widespread among the US electorate.
I don't actually blame Trump or Rubio for the mess we find ourselves in. Sure they are human filth, but it's their supporters who are driving this country into the toilet.
Americans are far more reliant on petroleum than they know.
Petroleum = Electricity
Electricity =
1) Production of consumer products.
2) Hot Water
3) Refrigeration
Etc, Etc, Etc
How many more things can be added to the list that requires petroleum to produce, maintain or fuel day to day living?
Not sure why you equate petroleum with electricity. That is so 20th century. Over 90% of new generating capacity, even in this renewables-hostile administration, is coming from solar and wind. We have rooftop solar and an electric car we charge at home, so indirectly a solar car, as well.
We have roof top solar.
Whats your point.
The US is stuck in Petroleum Mode.
Not enough Americans are using or have access to the very limited alternatives.
The US Government US taking away incentives for our citizens as a way to prevent alternatives to Petroleum.
To many Governmental officials are deeply vested in Petroleum and the taxes paid locally, state and federal.
Years ago I lived in an Airstream trailer. I found a lovely place to live right next to the La Plata River near Durango, CO. Since there was no electrical service, I bought two PV panels, 35 watts each, which were sufficient for my electrical needs (at the time, the panels cost $200 each. Now, a 100 watt panel on Amazon sells for $89). On one sunny day in Arizona's mesquite forest, I ran my entire electrical system—swamp cooler, fan, computer, hard drive, and printer—off the top of fully charged batteries. I was satisfied with solar and the freedom from 'utilities' it gave. But, I always wondered when the day would come when solar energy was sufficient to produce more solar panels.
What you say here is mostly true. My point was simply to call out your statement that petroleum=electricity as false. Most electricity now, here and worldwide, comes from renewables, not from petroleum. Read Bill McKibben's book Falter. Towards the end, he details how parts of rural Africa have been acquiring electricity for the first time...from small-scale solar. Petroleum-based electricity had never bothered to serve these people, ever. But now solar does and their lives are transformed.
Please reread. I was pointing to the US is extremely reliant on petroleum.
I was pointing to worldwide use and reliance. My comment points out The United States.
Sorry, Peter, but the assertion "Most electricity now, here and worldwide, comes from renewables, not from petroleum" is not correct. Pasted below is an AI-augmented analysis. I don't have the sources that the AI consulted, but it's not my original research:
The U.S. electricity mix is quite different from the global mix because the United States has shifted heavily from coal to natural gas and renewables.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of approximate recent electricity generation shares:
World United States
Coal~. 35% 15%
Natural Gas~ 22% 40%
Nuclear~ 9% 18–19%
Hydropower~ 14% 6%
Wind + Solar~ 14% 17–18%
Correct on your part. I meant to include the words "newly added", as in newly added power to the grid:
"More than 90% of all new electricity capacity added to the global grid in 2024 and 2025 came from renewable sources, driven heavily by a surge in solar installations. Solar PV and wind are the fastest-growing sources, with solar alone contributing roughly 6.9% of total global electricity generation as of early 2025."
This makes clear what the power sources of the future are: https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/world-surpasses-40-clean-power-as-renewables-see-record-rise/
Energy is energy. Fossil fuels represent solar energy captured many millions of years ago. We have managed to harness that energy; the trick is to use it to fashion sustainable renewals such as photoelectric panels and wind turbines, instead of driving all over the place and waging wars globally, not to speak of electrifying silly chatbots.
The US also has to import petroleum as its fracked oil is not suitable for essential products like diesel fuel.
If you've been a terrible person your whole life, visiting with the pope is not likely to help. Just sayin'...
So I’m on my way up to New York from Florida and all there are as far as the eye can see are trucks . We talk about the price of gas to fill our cars well who is indirectly paying for gas for trucks that bring goods to the different parts of our country .Do you think the companies trying to make a profit are going to absorb the costs? I don’t think so. I just love how our president tells us how we have to tighten our belts and how he thought the price of oil would be more than it is and then in the same breath gushes over his ballroom while people have lost there jobs and are trying to make ends meet .
If there's any justice, Lil Marco becomes so tainted with his association with Trump that he can never get the stench off and fades into the political sunset. Class-less, disgusting opportunist.
I think it is because Trump is SECRETLY a big environmentalist. But Maga, his base, hates environmentalism. So... how can he encourage better environment? Why of course, start a war which will raise gas prices so high everyone will buy EVs again and look for better alternatives and cut down on gas in general. Or maybe he has a deal with Musk to do this? Clever clever man. You have him all wrong.
One would almost think that Bob Brecha is against this latest Trumpian imperialist adventure! I am relatively isolated, and I wonder if this perception of reality is widespread among the US electorate.
I don't actually blame Trump or Rubio for the mess we find ourselves in. Sure they are human filth, but it's their supporters who are driving this country into the toilet.