Feds Not Serious About Alternative Energy

All energy technology research should be carried out by private firms; the Feds have no business at all being involved in funding, directing, or choosing alternatives in this field. That said, since they're in it, it would be helpful if they chose wisely. Here is more evidence, as if any were needed, of how completely unserious the DOE is about the subject.

U.S. Drops Research Into Fuel Cells for Cars

Developing those cells and coming up with a way to transport the hydrogen is a big challenge, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in releasing energy-related details of the administration’s budget for the year beginning Oct. 1. Dr. Chu said the government preferred to focus on projects that would bear fruit more quickly.

The retreat from cars powered by fuel cells counters Mr. Bush’s prediction in 2003 that “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free.” The Energy Department will continue to pay for research into stationary fuel cells, which Dr. Chu said could be used like batteries on the power grid and do not require compact storage of hydrogen.

The Obama administration will also establish eight “energy innovation hubs,” small centers for basic research that Dr. Chu referred to as “Bell Lablettes.” These will be financed for five years at a time to lure more scientists into the energy area.

“We’re very devoted to delivering solutions — not just science papers, but solutions — but it will require some basic science,” Dr. Chu, who won a Nobel Prize for his work in physics, said at a news conference.

Right. Like solar and wind power that, despite decades of subsidized research and constant Green hectoring, are little further along than they were 20 years ago.

This is exactly what one would expect, unfortunately, when juvenile-minded Progressives are in authority who are more interested in pushing their foolish social engineering agenda than solving problems. The only potentially bright side is that, in the unlikely case that they have any money left at the end of the next 3 years, 8 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days, private businesses might actually make more real progress without the Feds nudging them in the solar plexus all the time.