ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BONDS & Two Strategic Corridors

“let’s bring to the table the concept of ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BONDS, modeled after the WWII Defense Bonds”

email to PeakOil.com by Ann Marie Henrioulle

Dear Mr. Ribaudo: (Original sent to Ms. Carol Peterson, California Transportation Commission)
Ladies & Gentlemen: (cc Transportation Commissioners)

The discussion of California & Northern Nevada for Winter Olympics Venue brings forth the opportunity as well as the opportunists; focus on transport improvement is paramount, and narrow interests share the table with the visionaries and forward thinking planners. “Thinking beyond the H2 Highway”

I admit to being one of the narrow interests; my interest has to do with the need to diversify transport to include a viable and robust rail component in the US50 as well as the I-80 Corridors. I advocate rehab of the Truckee rail depot, and connecting rail to Tahoe City, Standard gauge link, permitting intercity rail service as well as railcar shuttle Truckee-Tahoe City-Waterborne-South Shore.

Nevada rail links leap out: Use the surface Corridor from Downtown Reno to the Airport for renewables powered light rail shuttle; continue airport connectivity scheme by running line thru to Carson City & Carson Valley Transit Terminal at Minden Airport, modelling the Tahoe Valley Airport (TVL) Intermodal Transit Center.

Narrow interests include 50 Corridor (hydropower enroute) rail; Sacramento to South Shore- Airport Transit Terminal, extending to meet the boats at Camp Richardson, and Stateline. Opportunistic awareness of the dire ramifications of oil depletion (peakoil.net & peakoil.com) and likely inability of Saudis to play adequate swing producer role gives greater urgency to my narrow interest. Renewables link to electric railways is obvious. Second dimension surface transport logistics & post 911DAY realities recommend rail investment. Rail would partner with, not replace, highway mode.

***(Saudi putative role as swing producer & Oil depletion info from Simmons Energy International, Houston, TX, 713-236-9999 on request.)***

These narrow interests also concern some close family members, deserving of the best foresight and circumspect planning regarding transport infrastructure. People will need to eat, even in case of fuel allocations scenario. Agricultural demand for fuel will trump transport to some degree, wouldn’t you agree? Very much so.

I am sure those reading this are equally narrow in outlook, and will aim to assure that transport planning, whether for an Olympiad or day-to day commerce and travel, will include alternative mode options.

The inevitible poor-mouthing: Oyez… Here and now, let’s bring to the table the concept of ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BONDS, modeled after the WWII Defense Bonds. Use your imagination and influence!

Upgrading the second dimension surface transport mode (railway) is a prudent way to address the very serious vulnerability we face in the event of a deep & prolonged motor transport fuel emergency.

Thank you.

Gunnar Henrioulle, Associate, Tahoe Valley Lines, (530-543-1259)