Simple truths about energy

Winningreen ENERGY Alert

A few simple truths about energy
 
By Tom Randall
 
Date: June 26, 2008
 
Situation: As lawmakers head home for the Fourth of July recess, energy is bound to be on the mind of constituents.  Here are some simple truths that may be of assistance in dealing with their questions and comments:
           
Truth no.1:  Republicans have been trying to open new rich oil fields, particularly in desolate regions of the Arctic and off shore, for decades only to be prevented from doing so by Democrats.  Bill Clinton vetoed Congressional approval of oil and gas production in a tiny fraction of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1995.
 
Truth no. 2:  Democrats say increased production would have no effect on prices for 10 years but that is just not true.  Any steps the U.S. takes to increase domestic production will put immediate downward pressure on price speculation.
 
Truth no. 3:  Many new oil fields could be under development in as little 3-5 years if Congress would rein in capricious federal regulators that cause needlessly long “permitting” processes.
 
Truth no. 4: The amount of oil in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is substantial, 86,000,000,000 barrels — that is equal to 147 years of imports from Saudi Arabia.  There are also 420,000,000,000,000 cubic feet of natural gas to help drive down home- heating costs.
 
Truth no. 5:  When the Democrats say we can’t “drill our way out of this energy crisis,” they are dead wrong.  Increased domestic production is the only realistic way out.  Alternative fuels will be of no significance in any future that is foreseeable and restricting energy consumption will have a negative impact on our already shaky economy, producing job losses.
 
Truth no. 6:  Democratic House leadership has three times adjourned committee meetings rather than let a measure to allow oil and gas production on the OCS come to an honest up-or-down vote.
 
Truth no. 7: Offshore oil and gas exploration is done with complete environmental safety.  There hasn’t been a spill on a U.S. beach from offshore oil production in 38 years and new techniques are infinitely safer than ever before. There has never been a spill from a new modern rig.  During Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, 113 oil platforms were destroyed and 457 pipeline segments were damaged, one platform disappeared completely.  Yet the U.S. Minerals Management Service said “no shoreline or wildlife impacts were noted." (From an article in the May 14, 2008 Tallahasee.com.)
 
Truth no. 8:  The United States is estimated to have up to 2,700,000,000,000 barrels of oil in shale in federal land in three western states — that’s greater than the entire rest of the world’s recoverable reserves.  When Republicans controlled Congress they authorized leases for test drilling of shale oil.  When Democrats took over they blocked use of the leases.
 
Truth no. 9: Under Bill Clinton, vast areas of the Arctic were opened to oil production based on the study "Environmental Benefits of Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Technologies"  This report, produced by the Clinton Department of Energy,  proved we can produce oil cleanly and safely in even the most sensitive environments.  Link to it at:  http://www.winningreen.com/site/epage/42646_621.htm
 
Truth no. 10:  The fact is, we should be actively pursuing all forms of domestic energy in the interest of the economy, jobs and national security.
 
Truth no. 11:  Republicans have introduced 15 bills in recent months to expand the supply of energy and drive down costs.  To this day, all are being blocked by the Democrat majority.  These bills are:
   Access OCS--  H.R. 6108
    Access ANWR--H.R. 6107
    Nuclear Fuel recycling --H.R. 6132
    Repeal ban on government purchase of alternative fuels --H.R. 5656
    Develop oil shale resources--H.R. 6138
    Alternative fuels for defense and aviation --H.R. 6131
    Coal-to-liquids-- H.R. 2208
    Restore 2005 Renewable Fuel standards--H.R. 6134
    Repeal import tariff on sugar-based ethanol--H.R. 6137
    Provide renewable fuels waiver --H.R. 6136
    Encourage new refineries--H.R. 6139
    Ensure speculators don’t harm consumers --H.R. 6130
    Boutique fuels--H.R. 2493
    Renewable tax provisions --H.R. 6133
    Nuclear Science and engineering scholarships --H.R. 6135
 

Contact: Tom Randall
Winningreen LLC
3712 N. Broadway – PMB 279
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 773-857-5086
e-mail: trandall@winningreen.com