Posted on 11/21/2022 9:22:04 PM PST by SeekAndFind
We’ve been covering the Biden energy crisis here for some time now, highlighting the various challenges facing the country in terms of keeping the lights on, keeping people’s homes heated in the winter, and generally keeping civilization humming along as you have a right to expect in a supposedly first-world nation. But pointing out shortcomings isn’t enough. There need to be concrete solutions put on the table and a willingness among the voters to demand action from the government. This week, one of the more comprehensive and coherent action plans to accomplish these goals landed on our collective doorstep and it’s being proposed by Power the Future.
Power the Future is an American energy advocacy and research organization that promotes solutions to energy-related crises currently facing the United States. In a report simply titled Energy Policy Roadmap, the group sets forth ten basic steps that President Joe Biden and/or Congress could begin taking immediately before we run out of diesel, experience more rolling blackouts, and all the rest of the very real threats America is facing because of the current destructive energy policies that are now in place.
Since coming to office in 2021, the Biden administration has unleashed a war on American energy. They’ve blocked projects, slowed permits, and implemented punishing regulations. The results have been catastrophic for America’s families, workers, and economy. The next Congress has the opportunity to undo some of that damage.
In this new report, Power the Future compiled an “Energy Policy Roadmap for 2023,” a roadmap that includes a top ten list of policies that, if enacted, can help reverse the destruction caused by Biden’s anti-energy Green New Deal. The list covers the entire energy supply chain, from production (upstream) to pipelines (midstream) to refineries (downstream)—and is designed to create and protect jobs, lower energy prices for consumers, strengthen energy security, and return energy independence to the United States.
Here is the bullet list, and every item on here could be put into motion tomorrow if Joe Biden has the will to take action or if the new Congress is willing to stand up to him and put corrective measures in place.
If any of those specific policies and trends don’t seem self-explanatory, you can get the details and definitions in the full report, which you can download here.
Even if you think it sounds “too simple” to undo much of what has been done over the past two years, that’s not the case. Many of the items listed are only in place because Joe Biden put them in place via executive action. He could undo many of those things with the stroke of a pen and without needing the cooperation of Congress. Other items may require some congressional action, but our elected officials are only supposedly in office to solve problems, right? Well, when it comes to energy policy we have plenty of problems for them to address and the clock is ticking.
So how long would it take for the government to make this happen? We asked Power The Future Western States Director Larry Behrens to give us an estimate. He pointed out that destruction can always happen more rapidly than construction, sadly. Some of these goals will take some time to achieve, but the possibility for rapid progress is still in play. He said, “Sadly, energy infrastructure can be cut off very quickly (Keystone XL for example) but it takes time to build it back up. I would offer a rough estimate that it would take well over a year, maybe more. However, when American energy workers are allowed to do their jobs without needless interference, they’ve been known to get the job done very quickly. ”
We’ve been trying to warn people about the coming blackouts since the spring. We are on the verge of a diesel shortage that could cripple the country and even CNBC described it as “a perfect storm.” And we brought all of this on ourselves through flawed government policies. These are self-inflicted wounds and this should not be a partisan issue. It’s going to impact everyone regardless of party politics. The United States has gone from being completely energy independent to the mess we’re observing now in barely three years. The situation could still be salvaged, but it’s going to take work. And the people in Washington are the ones who will have to put that hard work in or face the wrath of their citizens when we can no longer supply even their most basic energy needs.
RE: I’m not defending Biden’s energy policy
My impression is you seem to be saying that high energy prices have nothing to do with Biden’s policies and even if Donald Trump’s policies were in place, we’d still be in the same situation we are in today.
In which case, you seem to be saying that Regardless of what Biden does ( whether or not he shuts down pipelines, bans more fracking or drilling ) energy prices will not be adversely affected. I find it hard to be convinced of this.
RE: But if the oil producers think demand is going up they’ll invest the money to increase production.
Regardless of Biden’s threat to limit oil production?
Biden has OPENLY stated that he wants to end our use of Fossil fuels.
See here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=viAXGth3gQA
And here:
https://apnews.com/article/9dfb1e4c381043bab6fd0fa6dece3974
Now, there are several ways oil producers can interpret this:
1. Biden is simply playing to his Green base but isn’t really serious about it.
2. Biden REALLY wants to eventually end fossil fuel use.
If #1, then I can see how producers can still take the risk of investing. But if it’s going to be #2, they’re going to be risking another Keystone Pipeline debacle.
RE: There are complex reasons why, and the regulatory environment is one,
Ok, we seem to have come to some sort of agreement. The only question I have for you is this: How much of a factor does regulatory environment play in the rise in gas prices? Is it major or minor?
The Energy companies are asking Biden to do the following:
1. Reinstate canceled sales and valid leases on federal lands
2. Authorize critical energy infrastructure projects to support the production, processing and delivery of energy ( Keystone XL Anyone?)
3. Revise the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process by establishing agency uniformity in reviews, limiting reviews to two years, and reducing bureaucratic burdens placed on project proponents in terms of size and scope of application submissions.
4. Tell the The Securities and Exchange Commission to reconsider its overly burdensome and ineffective climate disclosure proposal to access capital markets
5. Ensure that future federal agency rulemakings continue to allow U.S. refineries to use the existing critical process technologies to produce the fuels needed for global energy markets.
6. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should cease efforts to overstep its permitting authority under the Natural Gas Act and should adhere to traditional considerations of public needs as well as focus on direct impacts arising from the construction and operation of natural gas projects.
How much of the above were policies under Trump carried over to Biden?
How much of the above policies were set down by Biden after he became President?
The energy companies KNOW what it takes to meet future and present demand and have highlighted the above as obstacles. Surely, these are factors causing energy prices to spike.
I'm saying that since Biden became President US oil and natural gas production has steadily increased and natural gas is at an all time high.
Would it have increased faster under Trump? Maybe, and it certainly wouldn't have been slower.
But compared to the other global economic forces our domestic energy policies have had a very small impact.
Biden can and probably has impacted production a little, but to blame our current prices on governmental action is simplistic and at odds with the data.
As you pointed out, natural gas costs have doubled yet we're at all time high gas production. Do you think there may be something more at play than Biden talking fracking down?
RE: Whatever we’re doing, it’s working. US natural gas production is all the way back and now at all-time record levels.
So, by this I take it you foresee Natural Gas prices to be DROPPING in the near future? If so, let’s revisit this thread a few months from now.
All I know personally are these as of today:
1. Petrol prices are still 30% higher compared to pre pandemic levels
2. Natural Gas prices are even higher
You said it’s working. I hope you’re right. So far, it isn’t.
Biden has OPENLY stated that he wants to end our use of Fossil fuels.
And that absolutely inhibits production. But these producers are looking way beyond any potential Biden term.
A large part of the world is at least giving lip service to reducing fossil fuel use and that's taken into account.
Again, the future prices, which are what matter when deciding whether to invest, are only mildly impacted by US energy policies.
If Dumba$$ Bi-duhhhhhhn had done nothing but steal the election and then play golf for 4 years he would have gone down in history as the greatest president ever.
Trump had set up everything for success.
RE: As you pointed out, natural gas costs have doubled yet we’re at all time high gas production. Do you think there may be something more at play than Biden talking fracking down?
I would say the energy companies have learned from what happened with Keystone XL and are holding a wait and see attitude before putting more money into drilling and fracking.
That something more at play is probably UNCERTAINTY. The Ukraine and Russian sanctions factor comes into play. The sabotage of Nordstream 2 only exacerbated the situation. The green policies of Europe also contributed.
But talking down fracking is only hurting, not helping.
NO!
What's clear is US natural gas production is very, very loosely correlated with US consumer natural gas prices.
Tell me what's going to happen in Ukraine, how many LNG terminals Europe can get online and whether Russia will still be a pariah state and I'll take a guess at what's going to happen to natural gas prices.
No question. But talking it up isn't going to "end the energy crisis by next year".
Look, the oil industry-promoting non-profit that came up with this list wants less regulation and lower costs for the producers. That's fine and makes a lot of sense but they're way overplaying the impact on global prices, and Jazz Shaw is acting very naïve in promoting this.
RE: No question. But talking it up isn’t going to “end the energy crisis by next year”.
We’ll have to disagree here. Governments that are seen to be ENCOURAGING and FRIENDLY to businesses will always have a positive influence on the business.
It helps! Talking it down hurts and discourages.
Fine, but there are limits to what any one country can do in a global market.
RE: Tell me what’s going to happen in Ukraine, how many LNG terminals Europe can get online and whether Russia will still be a pariah state and I’ll take a guess at what’s going to happen to natural gas prices.
I just mentioned those factors in Post # 48 above.
As you can see these are all GOVERNMENT policies affecting the price of natural gas. It might not be ours, but we’re indirectly encouraging them somewhat through our influence.
* Russian invasion of Ukraine is government policy (Putin and his minions are government
* Our continually sending arms to Ukraine thus prolonging the war is OUR government policy
* European dependence on Russian energy is government policy.
* German refusal to use their coal is government policy.
Ok, here’s a scenario… suppose :
* Germany increased their coal production and restarted the nuclear plants that they shutdown because of Fukushima
* We use our diplomatic influence to push Russia and Ukraine for a ceasefire and to start negotiations
* UK increases North Sea Oil and Gas licenses next year
What do you think will happen to energy prices?
RE: but there are limits to what any one country can do in a global market.
Sure, there are limits, but we cannot underestimate the power of FRIENDLY government policies. Like it or not, PERCEPTION is a powerful psychological factor in business, especially from government. And if the perception is translated into real implementation, especially when it comes to the world’s number 1 economy, it exerts a huge positive impact on markets.
I tried to be pretty clear I was referring to the effect of US energy policy - the topic of the thread.
What do you think will happen to energy prices?
Coal would probably get cheaper but it’s mostly going to China. The Germans would probably have lower electricity prices. A ceasefire won’t do anything until a deal is reached, even then it won’t help much if Putin’s still around. Western countries won’t trust Russia as a supplier as long as he’s there.
If new leases actually resulted in more production it would marginally lower natural gas prices in Europe.
Well, we’re talking about the factors in the world that affect energy prices in the world. Since increase supply from the USA has not lowered prices, I endeavored to steer the discussion overseas.
It seems that we agree that more fossil fuels regardless of where they are from ( Coal from Germany, more production from the UK ) will help decrease the price of energy everywhere. I think the EU will have no choice but to set aside their obsession with Green Energy to refocus on fossil fuels and so must we here in the USA:
Which leaves us to Russia as the major price influencing factor.
What seems to be happening prepandemic was the confluence of several factors:
* A friendly Regulatory environment in the USA
* Resulting in increased energy production
* Resulting in worldwide competition with Russia and the Middle East
* Resulting in lower energy prices
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.