2008 Woodie Awards
Politics: fueling a costly debate
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
For years, citizens and politicians alike have complained about America's dependence on foreign sources of oil.
Shortages in the 1970s and a historically unbalanced Middle East have given Americans reasons to worry.
Hurricane Katrina's destructive force has further crippled the American energy situation by neutralizing domestic production and refining capabilities.
With the price of gasoline reaching near-record highs (when adjusted for inflation) in most parts of the country, it is time that progressive steps are taken to actually reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.
First, force Detroit to produce cars that have fuel economy standards that make a difference.
The energy bill that was passed this last summer did virtually nothing in this area. Secretary of Energy Norman Mineta's initiatives proposed in August are not planned to be fully implemented until 2011.
Habits of over-consumption and individualism seem to remain as moral priorities for many Americans. Accordingly, it is unrealistic to believe that cars that get fewer than 15 miles per gallon can be universally economical.
We've already done a good job at becoming more energy efficient. According to the Department of Energy, since 1979 the gross domestic product has doubled while energy consumption has increased only nine percent.
More can and should be done. Alternative energy sources need to be used to produce electric power. Sources such as clean coal, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power are efficient, and in the case of nuclear sources, extremely productive.
This was also dealt with to some extent with this summer's energy bill; but again, not enough was done. These alternative energy industries need a real jumpstart to compete with the conventional methods of producing energy.
The United States must also increase domestic production of crude oil. This can be done in many different ways and in many different places but the best place to go is the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) in Alaska.
As it is unrealistic to believe that cars getting fewer than 15 miles per gallon can be the standard, it is equally unrealistic to assume the international market for oil will not grow beyond the United States' domestic needs.
China and India buy increasing amounts of oil every week to keep up with their exploding economies' energy needs.
Global demand has and will continue to increase and so domestic supply must do the same. Opening up ANWR will not serve to entirely wean the United States from foreign oil but it would drastically reduce it.
These steps could indeed work to cure our nation's unhealthy foreign oil addiction. All of these proposals are attainable also.
Congress is considering a bill to open ANWR and the former two proposals were flirted with in the last energy bill. All three can be recognized in their entirety.
If they are, America's national and economic security will be in a stronger position than it is today.
Shortages in the 1970s and a historically unbalanced Middle East have given Americans reasons to worry.
Hurricane Katrina's destructive force has further crippled the American energy situation by neutralizing domestic production and refining capabilities.
With the price of gasoline reaching near-record highs (when adjusted for inflation) in most parts of the country, it is time that progressive steps are taken to actually reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.
First, force Detroit to produce cars that have fuel economy standards that make a difference.
The energy bill that was passed this last summer did virtually nothing in this area. Secretary of Energy Norman Mineta's initiatives proposed in August are not planned to be fully implemented until 2011.
Habits of over-consumption and individualism seem to remain as moral priorities for many Americans. Accordingly, it is unrealistic to believe that cars that get fewer than 15 miles per gallon can be universally economical.
We've already done a good job at becoming more energy efficient. According to the Department of Energy, since 1979 the gross domestic product has doubled while energy consumption has increased only nine percent.
More can and should be done. Alternative energy sources need to be used to produce electric power. Sources such as clean coal, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power are efficient, and in the case of nuclear sources, extremely productive.
This was also dealt with to some extent with this summer's energy bill; but again, not enough was done. These alternative energy industries need a real jumpstart to compete with the conventional methods of producing energy.
The United States must also increase domestic production of crude oil. This can be done in many different ways and in many different places but the best place to go is the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) in Alaska.
As it is unrealistic to believe that cars getting fewer than 15 miles per gallon can be the standard, it is equally unrealistic to assume the international market for oil will not grow beyond the United States' domestic needs.
China and India buy increasing amounts of oil every week to keep up with their exploding economies' energy needs.
Global demand has and will continue to increase and so domestic supply must do the same. Opening up ANWR will not serve to entirely wean the United States from foreign oil but it would drastically reduce it.
These steps could indeed work to cure our nation's unhealthy foreign oil addiction. All of these proposals are attainable also.
Congress is considering a bill to open ANWR and the former two proposals were flirted with in the last energy bill. All three can be recognized in their entirety.
If they are, America's national and economic security will be in a stronger position than it is today.