Just Drill, Baby

OpinionJournal.com ^ | July 30, 2007 | PETE DU PONT

[gpapa]

Congress's energy policies would hinder America's economy.

America's domestic oil production is declining, importation of oil is rising, and gasoline is more expensive. The government's Energy Information Administration reports that U.S. crude oil field production declined to 1.9 billion barrels in 2005 from 3.5 billion in 1970, and the share of our oil that is imported has increased to 60% from 27% in 1985. The price of gasoline has risen to $3.02 this month from $2 in today's dollars in 1985.

Washington politicians will tell you this is an "energy crisis," but America's energy challenges are far more political than substantive.

First, we are not running out of oil. In 1920 it was estimated that the world supply of oil was 60 billion barrels. By 1950 it was up to 600 billion, and by 1990 to two trillion. In 2000 the world supply of oil was estimated to be three trillion barrels.

[pawdoggie]

This article sounds like a similar one I read during one of the oil embargoes in the 1970’s. If we’re really “running out of oil”, then someone had better get busy tapping into oil shale and tar sands (as the Canadians are), and gasifying coal ‘cause there’s no “alternative energy source that’s ready for prime time. And our energy supply is now a matter of national security.

[saganite]

Our politicians are off chasing greenie pipe dreams in the name of energy independence. Who knows when they’ll wake up. Probably when the pumps at the local gas station start running dry and folks get a cold dose of reality.

[NRG1973]

I predict that oil price increases (and shortages) will force the economy into a long recession beginning in 2010. I’ll even go out on a limb and predict that the recession will make the next president a one-term president as disatisfaction with the economy will force his/her ouster in 2012.

Republicans should hammer Democrats about energy whenever they can. If you remember VP Cheney developed an energy bill in 2002 that, if passed, would have opened up more oil to domestic drilling. Most of that oil would be coming online at about the time that the recession hits. Democrats (and a few RINOs, defeated that bill. Those politicians must be held accountable for their actions. If the Republicans can muster the nerve to blame the energy problems on the Dems & environmentalists then they may get huge electoral victories when the recession hits.

[q_an_a]

The problem with this article is that the GOP can't figure out how to make this into a campaign issue. The GOP are afraid to show what the rest of the world is doing with NUKE power, oil exploration and taxes on profits. The fail to show that the DemocRATS are the party of NO and that if you want a better future try the pary of YES!

Why don't voters hear and believe the above? Because the Republicans tried to be like DemocRATS by earmarks and loop hole spending not by unleashing the American spirit. Too bad and we have to pay for it...$2.79 at the pumps this week and rising food prices too!! /Rant off

[NRG1973]

“”The problem with this article is that the GOP can’t figure out how to make this into a campaign issue. The GOP are afraid to show what the rest of the world is doing with NUKE power, oil exploration and taxes on profits. The fail to show that the DemocRATS are the party of NO and that if you want a better future try the pary of YES!””

Great Post!!! The Democrats saeem hell-bent on destroying the US economy by adopting enviro-fascist policies. They are taking the country in the wrong direction and Republicans don’t seem to want to try to fight them. I don’t know who we will be able turn to when the economic hard times hit, so I have a bad feeling that the next recession will last longer than the Great Depression.

[RightWhale]

The oil industry report a week ago said that the oil industry will not be able to keep up with demand in the next two decades. They can drill all they want, and they are not running out of oil. Production will not meet demand.

[aShepard]

Another thought in this debate is:

If the future of the hybrid auto are the plug-in models, the bulk of the autos will be plugged in at night, either charging batteries or fuel cells.

At night when all the solar plants, and most of the wind plants are offline; increasingly depending on the fossil fuel electric plants to hum along, consuming additional fuels.

Nuclear plants don’t care if it’s light or dark; don’t have fuel supply pipes or barges and boats delivering fuel.

But no, you’d better not build one of them things in my backyard!