[bd_at_rivenhill]

This is a common misconception. OPEC isn't unified and the Saudi strategy is far more ambitious; they aren't trying to choke out the frackers and other high-price producers, they're trying to choke out the environmentalists. 5 years of prices at this level will put millions more SUVs on US highways and will make maintenance of existing oil-fired infrastructure appear more economical than investment in new clean energy alternatives (solar, wind, etc as you said). Additionally, they get to kick the Iranians in the nuts, which is in line with their stategic goals, squeeze the Russians and the Venezualans, which makes them more popular with the US government which will already be happy about the economic boost from low prices, and yes, they would hopefully be one of the strongest producers standing when oil prices rise again.