We Can Be Energy Independent in 10 years
There are enough proven oil, natural gas, and coal reserves in the United States to be free from foreign dictators and enemies of the US in 10 years.
Recent technological breakthroughs have made possible the recovery of vast quantities of oil and gas that were previously unrecoverable. We have enough known coal reserves to last 200 years. We are currently natural gas independent and a 2011 study estimates 100 potential years remaining. Our aging fleet of coal fired power plants could be replaced by zero emitting nuclear power or clean coal plants.
Renewable energy should also be part of the equation but will never replace traditional fuels and will take decades to have any real impact on domestic energy needs. EPA regulated and imposed carbon emission caps will result in millions of lost jobs and make the current cost for gasoline and energy seem like a real bargain if implemented.
The folly of our current energy policy or lack thereof has never been more apparent. Oil prices are skyrocketing as a result of the turmoil in the Middle East. Skyrocketing oil prices could wipe out the total projected economic growth for 2011. So what are we doing? Until this week the Department of the Interior has only approved one drilling permit in the Gulf since the BP spill. The timing is suspect considering the public reaction to spiking oil prices.
Meanwhile, China, which is not known for being eco friendly has partnered with Cuba to begin deep water drilling 50 miles from Miami. Our coal is being transported to China for their power plants and industries. Any resulting small carbon emission reductions here are only negated elsewhere and we further reduce our global competitiveness.
The US EPA and the Department of the Interior is implementing a regulatory form of Cap and Trade which was rejected by congress. Meanwhile the cost for virtually everything we buy is increasing in price as oil prices advance. As oil skyrockets in price our fragile economic recovery is threatened and a period of destructive stagflation could develop.
The fastest way to immediately add jobs, throw our economy into high gear and lower the price of oil today is for our administration to announce a goal similar to President Kennedy’s space race by announcing a 10 year race to energy independence. If the US embraced the increased production of all forms of energy, the result would be the creation of hundreds of thousands of high paying energy industry jobs today in a proven industry and many times that elsewhere in the private sector.
The free market should be picking the winners and losers not a myopic government regulator. Unleashing the free market would improve everyone’s standard of living instead of forcing more into poverty with burdensome energy prices.
Contact Senators Durbin, Kirk and Congressman Shimkus and tell them not to allow the regulators to decide our energy policy and insist on greater production of traditional forms of energy. It’s in our nations best interest to encourage the development of all forms of energy not just some at the expense of all else. We can have energy independence and be a good steward of the environment at the same time. If not now, then when?
Bob Kelsheimer
Executive Director