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August 18, 2004
Today's news
What Would You Do If...
Posted by Bobbie Gossage at 5:26 PM
CNN reports that prices for U.S. light crude oil reached a new record high today of $47.40 a barrel. Though Iraq's normal contribution to the global oil supply was recently halved, according to this article, there appears to be some dispute over whether there is an actual shortage or if speculation alone has pushed up prices. In either case, these sky-high gas prices are threatening to hurt the economy as they cut into consumer spending. How do you think this problem could be solved? What would you do if you were in charge?
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Perhaps we should be asking why Iraq's oil supply contribution has been halved? I think it's an artificial demand created for Bush's buddies in the energy industry, similar to Enron's role in the California energy crisis.
FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW WE HAVE HAD THE TECHNOLOGY TO STOP USING OIL. BUT THE FAT OIL COMPANIES WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO LOOSE THEIR QUITE UNFAIR SHARE OF OUR MONEY KEEP PAYING POLITICIANS AND SCIENTISTS BOTH TO SLOW THE CREATION OF SUCH TECHNOLOGIES. BECAUSE, MIND YOU, IT CAN'T BE STOPPED, IT WILL ONLY BE SLOWED DOWN FOR A WHILE.
It is time that the United States expand its' usage of Alternative Fuels. In partnership with government agencies the Natural Gas Industry has done an excellent job of building compressed natural gas fueling station infrastructure. This fuel is mainly produced in the USA and its gas gallon equivalent retail price averages about $.30 to $.50 less than a gallon of gasoline. Additionally, natural gas is much cleaner burning fuel, cutting pollutants and allowing engines to last longer. If you are interested in learning more go to www.cleanenergyfuels.com.
Five years ago we paid $.099 cents per gallon, today we are in the $2.10 range. We should consider re-directing some of our "offshore" expenses into more research in the energy sector. Short-term goal is to gain and spread additional support across other countries as we address the GLOBAL TERR.. issues.
I would hate to think, that this is all part on an Election Day Play.
Please, Por Favor - Don't buy from Chavez in Venezuela. Geoffrey
I think we need John Kerry (or "W", for that matter, though I can't see that happening) to step to the podium on Jan 20 and present a challenge to the American People which is no less than "We pledge to eliminate our dependence on foriegn energy sources within a decade..." And then, of course, it will be his responsibility to rally and unite the scientists, the crackpot entrepreneurs with the crazy ideas, the banks, the regulators and the public -at-large to get behind the fight, keep the heat on (both figuratively and literally) and reach the goal.
Such a proclaimation would be of equal or greater challenge as the "We pledge to go to the moon" speech made by the other JFK which propelled us to the lunar surface within the 1960s, alright.
Helena makes a great point that there are rich and powerful forces raging against such an initiative (and if you doubt it, rent "Power" starring Richard Gere from the mid-1980s). But the kind of initiative that we're talking about here would need to be on par with the mobilization effort during WW-II. Everyone is involved, everyone has skin in the game and nobody can be excused from class.
Imagine, if you will, the day when OPEC calls an emergency meeting in the year 2025 to lower prices again to spur demand and nodoby cares. Crude is at $7.50/bbl and sliding. There's oppression and strife in a desert kingdom and, certainly, we're interested in putting it down. But it is not a national emergency of the highest order, as it was in 1990 when the full Saudi production hung in the balance.
We should have learned this lesson and gotten to work the day after the Arab Oil Embargo in the 1970s ended. Indeed, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Welcome to the 21st century, where we're at the mercy of countries who hate us and everything we stand for.
Americans, it's on us now.
Focusing on new sources of oil and natural gas is doomed as a viable strategy in the long term. What we need is a visionary president who invests billions into a new Manhattan Project focused on radical alternative energy sources like fusion. It may sound like science fiction, but nuclear energy sounded impossible too.
The current push for alternative fuels is higher than it has ever been regardless of administration. I do not believe there is a quick solution. The oil companies are more than a bunch of ogers hording money, they are also every mom and pop gas station across the country. The oil companies need incentive to join the alternative fuel push and transition to alternative fuels as a smart business plan. Automobile manufacturers have been given the incentive, if not a directive to invest in alternate fuel vehicles.
You can not be President or a powerful political figure in this country without being a millionare. As long as you have millionares running the country you will have to appeal to a way to conduct business smarter and more efficient with alternative fuels, I do not believe playing the emotional chord of saving the planet holds a lot of wieght with the majority of these people.
The military could lead the charge with developing alternative fuel vehicles and aircraft. If the R&D was done a a cooperative effort by the government and industry we could get the capital investment over with, applied and move forward with a cleaner future.
I believe my peers in this response forum are right. It is very hard to fight oil money, if they don't want it, it won't happen. We also keep buying gas at $2.35 a gallon, what incentive have we given to change? I'm guilty, I love my Suburban, the safety it provides my family on the road and I haven't changed my driving habits much, I just pay more. If there were a Suburban with alternative fuel and a dependable way to get the fuel, I'd buy it.
We're making progress, the writing on the wall is we have to or we will always be a slave to foriegn oil.
If I were in charge I would increase the incentives for producing alternate fuel vehicles, give incentives to distribute altenative fuels at gas stations, and task the military to develop alternative fuel vehicles. You won't like what this going to do to your taxes though, the future is not free.
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