CONVERT TO LIQUID HYDROGEN NOW
by Peter Moss

In his brilliant analysis of geopolitics in END GAME FOR THE INDUSTRIAL ERA? Richard Heinberg makes one pivotal mistake in saying: "As I have discussed elsewhere, alternatives to fossil fuel have not been developed sufficiently to permit a coordinated process of substitution once oil and natural gas grow scarce. The implications -- especially for major consumer nations such as the United States -- will eventually be ruinous."

The truth is exactly the opposite of what Heinberg writes. Existing and long proven non-fossil and non-nuke sources exist and we should convert to them immediately. BMW has dual fuel cars on the road with two tanks, one for gasoline and one for liquid hydrogen. The driver can change fuel by the flick of a switch next to the gear shift lever. I have proposed to Vermont Governor Jim Douglas a program to develop conversion kits (perhaps under BMW license), to revamp the existing cars to dual fuel. Jim prefers to sit on his hands.

But how do we get all that hydrogen suddenly? By installing wind mills on mountain ridges to generate eolectricity named in honor of Eolus, god of the winds. The electricity can be used to electrolyze water into oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen can be sold in existing markets, and the hydrogen liquefied cryogenically by long proven technology. General Motors has announced a hydrogen station to fuel its fuel cell cars, but such cars still need perfecting. On the other hand adding a liquid hydrogen pump in existing service stations would make the existing car fleet immediately practical. Since hydrogen will be much cheaper, gasoline will only be an auxiliary fuel to get you to the next hydrogen station. Similarly, your home heating propane or oil tank can be replaced by hy-liq (liquid hydrogen) tanks. If we made a national crisis effort comparable to the war effort following Pearl Harbor, we could be rid of fossil and nuke energy during 2004. There is hydroelectric and eolectric power for stationary applications, in addition to hy-liq for cars and homes, and ocean going vessels could be sailing ships again with an auxiliary hy-liq engine for docking and doldrums. And hy-liq can be stored when supply exceeds demand. To say nothing of the fact that hy-liq burns to water, not toxic exhaust, is inexhaustible, environment friendly and will free the world of geopolitical burdens, oil wars, terrorist financing.

I favor an oil company tax to pay for the $89-billion George The Liberator has asked for rebuilding Eyeraq. Gasoline prices will not rise if competing against much cheaper hy-liq. A better life is possible through thoughtful legislation.