We should be pursuing ALL energy saving concepts. However, the notion that payback is 10 or more years away there fore let's do something else is irresponsible....as it has been since the 70's. So what if Americans 10 years from now gain the benefits of prudent planning from the past? Don't we (today) wish there were enough folks with the presence of mind to do that in the 70's. Almost all the so called alternatives (those of significance) will take 5 + years.
There is such a thing as planning for the future....a strange notion to lawmakers in Washington as well as local governing bodies. In this day of instant gratification and no action lawmakers in Washington....a perfect combination for failure.
What is the mystery about those things that take 5-10-15 years because that is the cycle for refineries, nuclear plants, hydrogen distribution...just get on with it and do it.

I think we forget we are capable of putting men on the moon thirty and more years ago....capable of traveling to Mars and digging with robots from that far away....capable of supersonic air transportation more than 20 years ago.
It isn't that we are not capable. We do have the talent and the pattern for invention and innovation. THE PROBLEM IS WE have become NO LONGER ABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! Problem solving cannot be done by politicos....period...end of subject. We have lost the leadership ability (not politics) to do what is right and necessary.

In closing, the drilling for American oil NOW may have an end result at the pump 10 years away, but the message to OPEC will be instantaneous and duly noted with results!!!!!!!
That alone is worth the announcement today to begin.

Thirty years from today will tell the tale (probably sooner if we continue doing NOTHING!!)

BTK