A friend of mine, Sean Paul-Rees, wrote on Tuesday about the rising gas prices across the U.S. I have to say, I agree with him; hopefully, this will finally induce a shift towards less dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

However, this is unrealistic; the fact is, our current leadership under President George W. Bush has simply not been pushing for alternative energy schemes, despite such projects as the Apollo Alliance, which presents a ten-point plan to reduce our energy dependence. Key partners of this Alliance include Washington’s own Senator Maria Cantwell, Carl Pope, the Executive Director of the Sierra Club, and Representative Jesse Jackson of Illinois.

I also support the plan set forth by the Apollo Alliance, and support hybrid car technology and the improvement of transportation opportunities nationwide. I would be so bold as to suggest a national subsidy for the research and manufacture of hybrid car technology, offering tax cuts to business and organizations that choose to construct buildings conforming to LEED standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council (such as Evergreen’s own Seminar II building), and continuing to promote commute trip reduction programs for state agencies and businesses past a specific size.

Here’s hoping that the next President of the U.S. is smart enough to recognize that this should be one of the top national priorities and take steps to make it happen.