The time for change in the energy sector is here and now.

We shouldn't need $4 unleaded at the pump to kick-start the movement, but let's take advantage of the opportunities this situation is bringing to us. I can anticipate what a lot of you are probably thinking: We need to drill offshore along U.S. coastal areas and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. And we can do that, but we won't benefit from any drilling in those places until several years from now.

So, why not get started on the big, transformational, alternative energy changes now? There is no viable alternative to not replacing fossil fuels as the world's primary energy source in the very near future. Unless someone invents a cold fusion machine that creates energy out of air, our current fossil fuel energy strategy is simply not sustainable (see also, "Dump Oil Stocks: Don't Risk Your Future").

And what about nuclear energy you ask? Nuclear power certainly has to be a part of our energy policy, and the sooner we overcome the irrational fear that surrounds this issue, the better off we'll be. But again, why not move ahead aggressively with other alternative energy strategies now?

The reign of oil and coal as the absolute monarchs of the energy world with total control over how we live our lives is, without a doubt, coming to an end. This certainty is what makes investing in the second- and third-generation alternative energy technologies so important. The inevitable transformation to green (and greener) forms of energy is now irrevocably under way, and the scale of this crucial endeavor is going to be measured in the trillions of dollars. And as an investor, this is something you can take advantage of! (See also, "Alternative Energy Stocks: It's Good to Go Green!")

California-Dreamin'

When you think about all of the untapped rooftops basking in the sun in much of the country, it's easy to dream about the day when a million buildings–both commercial and residential–will be covered with solar panels generating clean power from an unlimited "fuel" source.

While California has always paved the way for solar expansion in the United States, a recent California state law mandates that utilities obtain 20% of their electricity from...