Manhattan Project For Renewable Energy?

Here's a good column in the NYT about a fantasy debate in which one candidate spoke the truth about our desperate energy needs. Wouldn't it be great if Kerry announced a substantive and real Manhattan Project -- combining stricter MPG for automakers with massive public research into alternative energy sources and tax incentives for the companies already investing in it? Wouldn't it be great of Kerry set meaningful and real short term goals for lowering and ultimately ending our dependence on Mideast oil? It's essential for our national security and essential for our moral standing in the world unless we want to continue propping up evil dictators and corrupt monarchies in the Middle East. And as a side bonus it hits Bush on a topic where he is deep in the pockets of big oil, beholden to the Saudis, etc.

If you think renewable energy is pie-in-the-sky hippie talk, keep in mind that in five years the world's biggest investor in and creator of renewable energy will be...General Electric. Solar power, windmills, hydrogen cells, electric cars, hybrids -- they're big business and they just also happen to be better for the air we breathe, the land we live on, our children, our military strength, and so on.