I read in the paper that Honda has set up the first hydrogen car production line, though it is still limited to those like Jamie Lee Curtis with deep (+$200,000) pockets, and the logistical nightmare of safe and plentiful hydrogen gas stations is still in the future.

Honda is copying the winning formula established by Toyota, with its Prius hybrid technology. Research and Development can provide one with the patents for the cheapest and most efficient systems, and make it the leader in the utilization and promulgation of an entire generation of vehicles.

Why can't Detroit see that alternative energy will be the next big quantum leap in business? I could not care less about the auto industry per se, but our workers need a healthy manufacturing sector to restore our standard of living and the nation's financial health. A service economy will only fall further behind, especially since country's with better educational systems, will catch up with established industries such as computing.

Why are our oil companies so intent on wearing blinders, and not branching out into alternative energies? The future is in renewable energy, which is hopefully nonpolluting and led by Americans.

I am still unhappy at the cavalier way General Motors recalled the EV1 in the 1990s, and summarily denied the renewal of leases. What happened to that technology? It was good enough for all those who owned and leased them.

There are many who convert their own vehicles to electricity, but Congress refused to transfer the oil company subsidy to alternative energy firms. Congress must renew the tax breaks for alternative energy startups, to ensure America will become the alternative energy capital of the future.

We need to decide if we are to continue to keep our heads in the sand, or think ahead. Toyota and Honda are thinking ahead, and they are thriving.

Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport.

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