Senator John McCain took a step away from the philosophy of President Bush and Veep Dick Cheney yesterday in a speech to Big Oil representatives, according to Reuters saying: "In the face of climate change and other serious challenges, energy conservation is no longer just a moral luxury or a personal virtue. Conservation serves a critical national goal."

Awhile back, I wrote to Senator Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, and posted a copy of that letter here. And Senator Obama replied. Here is what he had to say.

"Thank you for writing to me with your concern over our nation’s energy independence. I appreciate hearing from you.

We as a nation desperately need to focus our efforts on renewable energy sources. Sources that do not rely on the combustion of any substance, whether it be oil, alcohol, or radioactive substances. You talk of change - it is time for a total paradigm shift when it comes to energy policy.

Now THIS is an energy technology that makes sense. Almost no moving parts, works off the sun AND runs even after the sun goes down, relying on built up heat to continue generating electricity. I wonder when the home-based models will be available?

Sure, we all want this project to succeed. But haven't we already designated enough for it, at least for now? The preliminary study of the feasibility of sequestration in Decatur isn't even done, to the tune of $67 million.

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“I plan to deliver an address from the Oval Office one month from today. The topic will be oil dependence.”

A burble of excitement fell into an expectant hush as more than 150 people gathered in the Tuscola Community center for the simulcast announcement of the placement of the FutureGen project. The hush turned into a cheer as Mike Mudd, President of the FutureGen Alliance announced “We have chosen Mattoon.”

The Senate’s “new” energy bill is just more of the same, without any real effort to put an end to the dependence of the human race on using combustion for its energy needs. Are we still cavemen building a fire? Instead, it is a “feel good” measure, aimed by the Democrats at President Bush’s head in an attempt to gather ammo for the 2008 presidential election.

The United States and China, the world's two largest energy consumers, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote the use of bio-fuels according to a joint press release from the Departments of Agriculture and Energy. This comes as part of a series of economic discussions that began December 12 in Grand Epoch City.