Generate all electricity with nuclear plants, and process the waste over and over until the actual waste generated is minimal. Produce electric vehicles that are as fast and fun as gasoline cars. For long trips, when needed, use efficient running diesel or gasoline engine vehicles, but tax the crap out of it and encourage forms of mass transit for long distances (electric trains, etc). Power all home utilities with electricity (no nat gas, no propane, etc). In conjunction with the nuclear power, encourage individuals to set up solar grids on their own property, decentralizing the grid.

 

In terms of technology, we have the answers, or at least enough information to figure out the answers. The barriers are all cultural and political. Examples:

Long-term, low-waste nuclear power is illegal by international treaty as MV said. Personally I think we should be pursuing new nuclear plants aggressively but I'm not holding my breath.

Solar power is probably never going to really be efficient enough to be a large-scale success, plus it requires extensive battery/capacitor systems for night and inclement weather.

Wind farms actually don't have much downside except for being ugly and occasionally conflicting with existing environmental requirements such as endangered species protection.


Once we can generate large-scale electrical power through a majority of renewable means, then we can start looking at using that electricity for things like transportation. But for now, people should just reduce use of their cars and be a little more energy-conscious with their purchase. Buy a compact hybrid instead of a midseize sedan, buy a midsize wagon instead of an SUV, etc.

 

Our country is too spread out for long distance mass transit other than airplanes and will not catch on in my opinion.

And about farmer's wanting Ethanol to catch on. That's not entirely true. This is a pretty big debate. A lot of time, money, and other resources are being wasted on building new ethanol plants and programs that farmers don't want/need. Unfortunately some state governments (*cough*PA), are not listening to industry professionals and still building these facilities. There is a reason ADM, Monsanto, and the like are not building new plants and are pretty much just sitting back at this point waiting to buy some of these people out.