It is a sticky problem, which technology to fund. All green technologies allow oil independence. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. In some cases, industry is taking the initiative to pony up the money needed to get a unique energy infrastructure started, as in Google's plan to install a power grid in waters off New Jersey. They think they will make money on it or they would not bother but I do not think anyone will argue that they are risking more than most companies are willing to risk else those companies would have beat them to it. This is the type of situation where government has to step in and say ok, we'll take the risk because the country needs it and the market is somewhere between totally unwilling and reticent to invest in an infrastructure the country could clearly benefit from in the long run. Free markets are great, but a third player is often needed to ease things along in cases like this. We got lucky having such a far-sighted player as Google in this case and government does not need to do it this time.

I favor the technology of clean diesel because I think it has the best case for return on investment given short term market conditions and the overall best viability as a green energy for surface vehicles short of a breakthrough in battery design. But last time I checked there were all of 3 cars available that use clean diesel (low sulfur diesel) and zero trucks. You might as well buy a Prius or a Leaf if so few options are there. Personally, I am still buying gasoline cars because for the money you just can't beat them. I realize and regret that my money went for a vehicle that offers no change over the same oil dependent scheme that caused problems for us in the past.