'On the Threshold' of 'Startling Breakthroughs'

Two of my favorite topics came together in Milwaukee today - President Bush and renewable energy.

While visiting hybrid battery maker Johnson Controls, the President noted that America (as well as many other nations) relies on foreign sources for the majority of its energy needs.

Some of these foreign suppliers have "unstable" governments that have fundamental differences with America, he said.

"It creates a national security issue and we're held hostage for energy by foreign nations that may not like us," Bush said.

[...]

"Our nation is on the threshold of new energy technology that I think will startle the American people," Bush said. "We're on the edge of some amazing breakthroughs breakthroughs all aimed at enhancing our national security and our economic security and the quality of life of the folks who live here in the United States."

Later Monday, Bush was visiting the United Solar Ovonics Plant, which makes solar panels, in Auburn Hills, Mich., outside Detroit. The company also works on hydrogen fuel cells to power autos.

Startle away!

Bush is clearly pushing hybrids (which don't get us off oil when they rely on fossil-fuel created electricity), solar power and ethanol. Ethanol has the limitation that we simply can't produce enough to replace anything like the percent we rely on from abroad.

Aside from a renewed committment to nuclear energy - which powers much of Europe - we will need some startling technologies, such as fuel cell engines.

My only question is why hint at it, but keep it under your hat?