As oil creeps below $70, realize that we are experiencing a respite – a bit of a breather in a market constrained by booming demand, restricted supply and unforseeable price shifts. While we should rejoice at the lowered price of oil, the last thing we should do is take advantage of it, for it will be on the move again.

To date, Congress has appropriated $70 billion in incentives toward clean energy. Nevetheless, since the 1970′s (the last big focus on renewables and alternatives), our total renewables share has remained in the SINGLE digits.

Two large problems confront our renewable supply – first, getting technologies to mass market (ie, making them affordable) and second, having the infrastructure to support them. Hydrogen powered cars could be a huge part of the solution to our energy puzzle, but as of now there’s no infrastructure to support the technology.

Looking back at my blog of yesterday, and focusing again on possible government policy roles, one thing the government can do is open the doors to and incentivize (and dare I suggest it – possibly privatize??) new energy infrastructures. Rolling out viable infrastructures to support alternative fuel developments is the vital building block to supporting our energy independence.

As seen from history, reactionary policy is clearly bad. So is the strategy of putting all policy eggs into one basket. What then should the US do, in the realm of domestic policy, to prepare itself for the new energy future?

In a word – diversification. The worst things US policymakers can do is bet on one strategy – like hybrid cars or corn ethanol – and place at a disadvantage other and potentially better strategies. Rather than looking for the silver bullet solution, allow for and encourage development of many new technologies. If policy is to be involved, it should only clear the way and encourage invention fairly.

The debacle with food-grade corn ethanol serves as a warning, and as a promotion for the above strategy. In the face of America’s oil addiction, it will take many minds and independent strategies to acheive energy independence and sustainability.

If we set aside the debate on global warming and look instead at our reliance on oil, we realize that failure to act and anticipate could be disastrous. Ninety-six percent of our cars rely on oil, and daily we consume 25% of the world’s oil production total. New demands from China and India are placing increased pressure on a finite resource that we, by and large, import from other countries.

Does that mean we should all be forced to drive hybrids immediately? Pay penalties for our morning commute? Is this the end of the car? Not necessarily. It does mean, however, that we need to abandon our paradigm of cheap and easy energy, and start crafting realistic and new energy policy.

The whole reason that groups like Energy Literacy exist (and, dare I say it, are necessary) is to rise above talking points and hold a looking glass to the present – “What is really going on here?” We strive to evaluate future trends and avoid reactionary policy.

Trust me, we don’t want to meet the future unprepared, and be left holding the bag.

Ok, so the title alone grabbed your attention but let’s follow where that statement leads. With the controversy surrounding alleged scientific collusion on global warming data, energy issues have potentially fallen into a public relations nightmare, appearing dressed as purely reactionary tactics, based upon emotion (not a good combination).

But let’s not get distracted. Set aside global warming, the reality is that our work and lives rely on a finite resource that is overwhelmingly and increasingly imported from overseas. (That finite resource would be oil) How would you feel if your microwave wouldn’t heat up your dinner after a long day’s work, simply because your electricity supply, coming from a nation that wasn’t feeling kindly towards the US, had been cut?

The answers are not easy. But the reality is our oil supply is holding us hostage. And instead of contemplating doomsday scenarios, we need to focus on actual solutions (more on that to follow).

As British journalist Jeremy Clarkson aptly put it, our challenge is difficult and expensive. Difficulties and expense, however, are no excuse.