04-11-2016, 07:41 PM
(04-11-2016, 05:50 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I don't know why "energy companies" are not investing more in alternative energy.
Because most people want to see good return on investment within their lifetimes. Fossil fuels provide massive up front profits, whereas a technology like solar or wind can take a lot longer (50-80 years. I forget how long) before you see the same type of energy production per dollar invested. Over periods of 100 years or more the green technology can be far more efficient so long as it doesn't break down, but no one really cares because no one wants to wait around 100 years to see the whole benefit of their labors. The American economy is like an impulsive person who's addicted to sugar in that regard. We know that eating spinach and broccoli will be better in the long run, but our behavior is dictated by that short-term "rush."
The fact that the entire economy is geared to run on fossil fuels doesn't help matters. The infrastructure and vehicles themselves are not engineered with green energy in mind, adding to the cost to convert.
