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Probably the easiest thing the US could do to reduce oil usage would be to find a way to electrify freight railroad mainlines. There are only about 10,000 miles of mainline left, but they haul a staggering amount of freight over those mainlines. Electrification would allow the US to use plentiful coal or nuclear power to move stuff.
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The easiest thing that could be done to reduce oil usage on those mainlines would be to revert to superheated steam engines that use that plentiful coal more efficiently.
With advances in modern technology, superheated steam engines could provide this with less cost in infrastructure compared to electrification.
(I believe nuclear power plants are fairly expensive these days)
Besides, who doesn't love the sound of a steam engine chugging along and the personal touch of the engineer on its whistle.
I know I do...
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