After years of hope and hype, there seems to be visible movement toward new energy sources that stand a decent chance in market competition with current oil, natural gas and coal. In an important article article in today's Opinionjournal.com, James Woolsey argues that a new mix of hydrocarbon energy technologies will begin to free us from Middle East energy dependence in the foreseeable future. Woolsey looks for a mix of oil shale, coal liquifaction, biomass, and hybrid car technology to start making a substantial difference. Woolsey is co-chair of the Committee on the Present Danger, former Director of Central Intelligence, and one of the most interesting thinkers around. He has thought very seriously about these matters, and believes the technologies are steadily moving to the market.  In a separate development, the Department of Energy has just announced a breakthrough in the efficiency of solar to electricity conversion. Boeing-Spectrolab achieved the 40 percent efficiency,...(Read Full Post)