Iceland Winning Energy Race
The Energy Race isn't to see who can make the most obscene profits or who can waste the most or who can use it the most inefficiently. The Energy Race will determine which country will reach the goal of energy independence and energy security first.
The U.S. hasn't even entered the race.
While we offer tax breaks for buying heavy S.U.V.s (first year tax credits can pay half the purchase price of a new Escalade), Iceland and several European countries are rushing ahead with a fossil-fuel-free economy. When China starts calling in our debts, we'll still be at the starting line.
It is tempting to dismiss Iceland as too small or too liberal to be a leader in anything. After all, with 100% literacy they are obviously all tree-hugging, granola eating, sandal wearing smartasses. In reality, Icelanders are tough and independent individuals living in one of the harshest places on the planet.
Most Icelanders drive cars, says Professor Bragi Arnason. Around 300,000 people live in a place about the size of the state of Kentucky. Transportation is limited to cars, buses and boats. "Everyone has a car here," Arnason says. And it's very typical for an Icelandic family to own two cars. Arnason drives a small SUV.
Sounds just like home.
Unlike our home, Icelanders will soon be using hydrogen (fuel cell) for all their transportation needs. Because the country invested in hydro and geothermal power they can produce the hydrogen economically without creating more pollution in the process. Currently 80 city busses are proving the technology. Fuel cell cars are expected to go on sale to the public in 2010.
With tax credits and other incentives, Iceland will be free of fossil fuels by 2050.
"We are a very small country but we have all the same infrastructure of big nations," Arnason said. "We will be the prototype for the rest of the world."
Isn't that where the U.S. should be?