Wind and Solar Power Facts, page-5

With the US returning to capitalism it will be interesting to see if there is a major shift in the energy source landscape.

From a fossil fuel viewpoint, current technology could produce decades if not a century of domestic needs from domestic (counting Canada) sources even without coal at $US60/bbl. A higher price would make start to make tighter/shaly reservoirs economically viable making the US completely independent of foreign oil for centuries to come. A gradual replacement program looking for a cheaper energy source could be developed in parallel.

This is why the question of degree of CAGW is so important. If CO2 is a minor player in the world's climate then one course of action is viable. If the current CO2 models prove accurate this time over the next 15 years then a more drastic course of action is warranted.

But the current political trend suggests that renewables will not be given the huge subsidies they have in the past. Most governments cannot afford them and many countries are seeing voter backlash to the current plans.