I do lot of work for oil and gas. They are ripping consumers off because they can. There is no competition to speak of. Producers of oil keep price high and refiners (unless they also own oil source) are on a verge of bankruptcy anytime cost of crude goes up because it is difficult to pass the expense on the customer. That is why the fuel doesn稚 decrease because the refiners are saving reserves for rainy days. I think.
Government goes into many things that will not happen without its involvement. Our country has significant wind and solar resources so why not use them. There are more people employed by alternative energy sector that in coal mines. Those are better jobs that in coal mine. No black lungs either.
If the cost of solar system stays where it is or even decreases I don't see why it will not work for anybody who has reasonable natural condition. And I mean anybody. We installed our system despite the hostility of our local utility. We did that because I wanted one the same way people buy large trucks to get groceries. It makes no sense and it still happens every day. I keep my old junker and have a system that brings about 200 a month in my pocket.
Once the alternative energy reaches significant level it will force utilities or government to act and build long distance transmission lines (DC lines) and develop viable energy storage systems. In fact I think we are already on tipping point.
One of the IA utilities wants to build DC transmission line to east coast to sell excess generation from wind farms. IA produces more than 30% of energy from wind. Since East coast is two hours ahead of Midwest IA could send energy to the east when people in IA are still sleeping. And get energy back when the East is already sleeping.
Energy from Wind is already cheaper than from coal.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - Source
