Think Local - Energy

Okay, so this is a stretch but I will make the analogy anyway. I think most people are aware there is a "think local" marketing movement underway today and especially with respect to our food supply. This development was never more obvious to me than when I visited nearby (to me) Asheville, North Carolina last summer. Anyway, on to my analogy.
 
I'd like to read about or hear from people with a lot more knowledge about the energy sector (and, if this is possible, have an objective, no agenda perspective) about thinking local about energy. This is something I have thought about for several years as you consider where the best reserves of coal, natural gas, petroleum, wind, solar, geo-thermal, alcohol dervied cellulose plant and anything-I've-forgotten might be located. Maybe even ocean currents. 
 
When we think about the loss or degradation of energy in trying to transport it to less developed areas I have to wonder if a business case can't be developed for thinking locally. When I think about the lessons of history and ponder what would Carl Fisher do (?) my guess is he might be attracted to this kind of leading edge, national interest stuff. He was a man that focused on developing resources, growing American-based industries and simply tackling big issues.
 
I recently stumbled across an article that gently kissed the topic but in no way began to truly explore the issue. Still, I was encouraged that someone had gone public with what I interpreted to be at the least the zygote of the idea. Oh, it's idealistic to think vested interests would get in the way but the hope for change only ever comes from a single source - the awareness of the general population to a need for a national conversation and action around right-headed thinking.
 
Energy is that root of how we power our lives, and of course, the vehicles that transport us. The opportunities could be well beyond the imagination reflected in current thinking. Thankfully the United States is moving toward energy independence - or so it seems. Setting climate change aside a full-on, all options on the table approach that weaves together a "quilt" of solutions is what I envision.