The problem will play out in different ways in different parts of the country and different parts of the economy.

What wil take the place of oil based energy for transportation in the great basin of the west and the rocky mt. region?  There is nowhere near the population base to have public transportation fill the gap.  I cannot forsee electric vehicles that will adequately provide transportation across driving ranges of 5-600 miles per day.

What kind of power will provide the desert southwest and the deep south with air conditioning, without which it will be very difficult to maintain its current population and growth?

What will fuel the tractors and combines of the midwest and the California central valley?

The landing could be abrupt.  I do not believe that the "market" will suffice to get us through this, and I don't see the political will to drive the research and production of alternatives.  Remember Jimmy Carters "malaise" speech, well, the 30 years have passed and now we are in a fix.

"I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester, You know I'm a peaceful man...'" Robbie Robertson