Are you familiar with Dr. Steven M. Greer? He seems to be pioneering the push for ZPE and he believes there is a conspiracy to prevent new technology from eliminating the need for fossil fuels. Seems a little far fetched to me although it makes sense. Here is a quote
"The special interests, cartels, power centers and the like that do not want a replacement for oil, coal, centralized public utilities and the internal combustion engine have enormous power to block the release of such a new energy technology. These interests have done so by subterfuge, abuse of so-called national security provisions, buying the rights to such a system and then burying it on a 'black shelf', threats, intimidation, assassination, etc."
He claims the for the last 75 years we could have had a replacement for fossil fuel.
http://www.seaspower.com/whyseas.htm