Some solutions for the gas crisis

I have been watching C-span lately and I saw some very interesting discussions about the gas crisis which is affecting the US economy. Indeed, the United States are experiencing a deep crisis because of the rise of gas prices and the weakness of the dollar. The transportation system in this country has been based on the car, and this crisis impacts a lot US citizens. I came in the US a year ago, and the gallon was around $2.60 and it is now $3.90 (what I paid yesterday).

The question is what kind of actions the government can undertake to both limit gas prices raise, and to be less dependent of gas.

· Lower the speed limit. “At 65 mph you’re burning 10% more fuel than at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17% of your fuel economy, and at 75 it’s 25%. The numbers get worse from there.” This is a fast & easy action the government could take. Of course, that would not be enough to dramatically lower the demand, and therefore have a great impact on gas prices. It would though lower US consumers budget dedicated to gas.

· Develop a reliable public transportation system. Here in the Silicon Valley we can’t really say we have a good public transportation system. It is pretty expensive ($8 a round trip to the San Francisco Airport), not complete (one train line), and not enough trains (1 train/hour after 6pm). Public transportation will give a greater option for people to go to work.

o Lower public transportation prices (by giving subventions to public transportation companies)

o Raise the number of lines and trains.

· Try to limit the needs in oil by using new sources of energy, and if possible produced inside the US. I heard a lot US politicians making an example of French energy program. Indeed, oil is also used to heat houses, produce electricity, and French electricity is produced for 90% thanks to nuclear factories. The US needs to develop an energy program that will focus on new sources of energy, to durably diminish their needs in gas.

What do you think? Do you have other ideas to limit the rise of gas prices, and/or