Riddle me this:

1. Are alternative energy options a viable replacement for hydrocarbons?
2. If so, when?
3. Should the federal government fund alternative energy projects?

The simple answers:

1. Yes
2. When the cost of alternatives equal the cost of hydrocarbons.
3. Yes, assuming there are adequate revenues. But the funding should focus on research and development, not on proping up manufactures such as Solyndra and Beacon Corp.

Whether it be 30 years or 200 years, eventually the world will deplete hydrocarbon resources or the supply chain will become irratic. As hydrocarbons become scarce, their cost will rise. As alternative energy technologies and manufacturing processes advance their costs will decline. When these two cost curves meet alternative energy will rule.

June, 2012