Energy Conservation

Japan Squeezes to Get the Most of Costly Fuel
By JAMES BROOKE
Published: June 4, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/04/business/worldbusiness/04energy.html?

This dependence on imports has prodded the nation into tremendous achievements in improved efficiency. France and Germany, where government crusades against global warming have become increasingly loud, expend almost 50 percent more energy to produce the equivalent of $1 in economic activity. Britain's energy use, on the same measure, is nearly double; the United States nearly triple; and China almost eight times as much.

From 1973 to today, Japan's industrial sector nearly tripled its output, but kept its energy consumption roughly flat. To produce the same industrial output as Japan, China consumes 11.5 times the energy.

Japan proves that Energy conservation is Cost-effective and accomplishable. It is unlike Hong Kong, though, as it still allows the die-hard Motorists on the Road. The Article is a Must-Read to understand the current status of Energy Conservation in the World today, but the Reader must understand it is a glossy Report, and does not present the potential pitfalls. You can only go so far!

The United States is a far different matter, with high potential to cut it's energy bill. There are simple ways to save on energy, without widespread suffering by the Population. Here are a few of the Options:

1) Close off intercity traffic, not by prohibition, but by Pricing. Refuse Communities Federal Aid unless they establish City-edge Public Parking and Public Transport. No Motorist can proceed past the Public parking area without a Permit carried in the windshield--$5 for two hours of access, $10 for all-day access. Parking in the Parking arena will be $1 per day. Exit with expired Access permit will be $25. Through-Route traffic must stay on the designated Highway, with a $5 necessary Access permit required for Exit, purchasable at Restaurants and Gas Stations along off-ramps or streets.

2) Communities will establish Public Delivery Services, where all purchased Retail Goods are delivered to the home address, or Parking stall number in the Public Parking area--Cost $1 per delivery.

3) Federal Tax law will be amended to state local area business cannot enjoy any Investment tax credits, unless they devote at least 5% of claimed Investment to Capital investment in the Public Parking areas and Public Transport services--which will be a Cooperative association which is run for Profit.

4) Local area Communities will be allowed to establish Toll booths on Interstate access roads--the toll rate to be $1 per vehicle, half of the Revenue to go to the Communities--less the Wages of Toll booth Workers--and half to Road maintenance of the interstate. Commuters can purchase yearly Access permits for specific Interstate access routes for $20 per year. Transport vehicles can buy universal Access permits for $200 per year.

5) Workers can claim a Public Transport tax credit of $300 per Year, if they can prove purchase of 12 Monthly Access Passes--by presentation of the Passes. lgl