I’m glad for two reasons that Barack Obama suggested that we keep our tires inflated.

First, I’ve known for several years that proper tire inflation will increase gas mileage. I’ve also known that about oil changes, replacing air filters, cleaning fuel lines, and driving with the A/C off.  All these things are good.  I do most of them – I even decided not to get my A/C fixed when it died a few years ago.

We like to conserve and use environmentally friendly products when we can; it’s the responsible thing to do.  I’ve been really interested in alternative fuels, particularly biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol.

The second reason is that it shows that he’s flailing about for something to hold on to.  Tire inflation is not an energy plan.  Yes, it would marginally increase efficiency and lower demand a bit.  But maintaining our cars while we wait for alternative fuels is not going to solve our problems.

It doesn’t really reduce our consumption – we’ll be driving the same number of miles in the same vehicles.  We’ll just be 2-3% more efficient while doing it.  As far as I know he has no plans to pursue cellulosic ethanol, which, while still a long shot, can greatly increase our fuel supply without having the same effect on food supply and food cost that corn and sugar based ethanol has worldwide.  It doesn’t address the fact that most diesel engines don’t need to be altered to run on biodiesel, meaning that engines like VW’s TDI have great ‘green potential’.

It doesn’t address the fact that driving only accounts for half of US oil consumption.  If each car saves 3%, that means 1.5% of overall demand.  The rest is in plastics and rubber and a whole host of other things.

Also, why shouldn’t we drill?  I’ve seen estimates that say it will increase supply by 2% in 20 years, or by 5% in five years…it doesn’t really matter.  If oil companies are willing to pay for it, why not let them?  If they’re willing to put their own money up to give it a shot, I say we let them. They wouldn’t do it if they didn’t think there was a real shot at some profits. And while they’re drilling we can push alternative fuels, hybrids and fuel cells. They aren’t mutually exclusive.

I want a real plan, and Obama doesn’t seem to have one.