Fuel cells still seem to be the best alternative to oil.  Hydrogen will sooner or later be the fuel of choice as it addresses all the issues surrounding fuel.  Clean, plentiful, relatively cheap, doesn't pressure or displace feed crops, doesn't make anybody rich.............okay, so it'll never be allowed as a primary fuel source.

Hydrogen, unfortunately, uses more energy to produce than it actually produces.  When the return is better than the cost, we will see it take over.  Until then, it's not something we can count on.

Currently, I think the hybrid technology will start (and is starting) to finally take off.  I was just in L.A., one of the biggest commuting cities in the country, and the amount of Priuses I saw was noteworthy.  Very few SUV's anymore.  Getting 50 mpg is significant compared to some of the best compact cars at 35 mpg.  I think that fuel efficiency will be the major cost cutting, technological trend to be honest.  I saw a show which discussed future car technology and they had a car that could go 0-60 very quickly (sorry can't remember) and which also got some insane amount of fuel efficiency like 150 mpg.  Sure it's a prototype but eventually we'll be seeing cars which get great mileage.  How soon is the question...

Drilling in Alaska is something I am for.  Actually it should be clear that there is drilling in Alaska (it's 80% of their economy), it's ANWR drilling we're talking about.  Don't expect it to solve all of our oil consumption needs.  Estimates say it will last for anywhere between 12-30 years once tapped and I think it would add something like 5% to U.S. consumption, but don't think it will all just be sold to the U.S.  It'll go on the world market just like all the oil in the world does.  Keep in mind that we only get something like 10% from the middle east.  Our (the U.S.'s) biggest supplier of oil is actually Canada (20%).  I'm in favor of ANWR drilling for several reasons but solving our dependence on foreign oil is not one of them. 

The single most efficient, clean, safe use of energy today is nuclear energy.  The amount of fuel it takes to power a city can fit in your hand, there is zero polution and storing techniques are extremely safe.  It's a sad fact that we aren't allowed to build more nuclear power plants in this country.  It would take care of our energy needs while new technology is being researched.  It could end our dependence on foriegn oil, significantly drop carbon emmissions and "save our planet."  For some reason it's a big no no.

Firstly, Jerm, No.  Like all things in the US, it is the biggest mouths that get fed,(federal).  Small Mom and Pop farms will fail because of "COOP's".  Thus driving prices higher.  Driving Mom and Pop to give in to COOP's.  And I agree Hydrogen in the present tense is not very viable.  But could be without "Oil Lobbyists" blocking research developments.

TOSK.  What can I say beyond your comments.  Except your words are like iron in that they hold the truth.

Oh yeah violence... I don't think there's much else to say .