As everyone heard in the President’s speech last night (see post below) and probably knew before that speech, we have to end our dependence on foreign oil.  There was  a well-timed event on Monday announcing a new proposal  to get us off gasoline use in our cars,  with a massive EV deployment.  Now all we need is Oprah to give away the cars to everyone, because electric cars will not be affordable for most people without big tax incentives, rebates, or some type of program like “Cash for Clunkers”.   I’m all for that.  See the presentation video at the Center for American Progress website.

I’m so glad BP cares about America enough to ignore safety violations for years and years while trying to maximize their profits as much as possible, even outside the law.   More about this video below.

First, about the proposal to buy everyone an electric car.   Or maybe not.  “The United States could “feasibly” cut its foreign oil imports to zero by 2030, Sen. Jeff Merkley said Monday in presenting a new proposal to solve the nation’s energy crisis.

“Senator Merkley detailed a plan where deployment of electric vehicles and increased fuel efficiency for heavy trucks would eliminate the country’s need to import oil from overseas (all imports except those from Canada and Mexico) by 2030. Nearly 70 percent of American oil imports come from overseas, weakening national security. His plan would also reduce environmental damage from the country’s oil consumption, helping to protect the climate and avoid disasters such as the one currently unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“During a packed forum (see the video above) at the non-profit Center for American Progress, Merkley (D-Ore.) said the U.S. can get off of overseas oil completely through massive electric vehicle deployment, fuel efficiency measures for trucks, a push toward natural gas- and biofuel-powered cars and a green building boost.

With unprecedented amounts of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico and mid-term elections around the corner, an optimistic Merkley said his 14-page proposal is “absolutely” politically realistic.

“Show me a member of Congress who would campaign for office saying we need to increase our dependence on Middle East oil … [and] increase our oil addiction? I don’t think you would find very many such candidates who would be successful,” Merkley said.

According to the senator, overseas oil imports are projected to reach about 7 million barrels per day in 20 years. His plan would save the nation 8.3 million barrels each day, with electric vehicles making up nearly 40 percent of that daily impact at 3.2 million barrels.

Read more at SolveClimate and the Center for American Progress. How much do electric cars cost?  More than most people can afford.  So Merkley’s plan will fail unless the government buys everyone an EV,  which isn’t a bad idea.

Obama met with BP executives today and got them to agree [...]