Obama seeks to cut US foreign oil imports by 1/3 in next decade
New drilling can drive an alternative energy future
Using American energy to win the future
Just finished watching some of President Obama’s speech at Georgetown University regarding America’s energy future. Essentially, the President highlighted some of his administration’s blue print for his energy policy, details of which can be found at the Department of Energy website.
Overall, the President claimed that American ingenuity would be the key to US energy independence and that there would be “no quick fixes”. Consequently, the US will still be heavily dependent upon oil for “some time” and new drilling will be “necessary”.
In last week’s New drilling, energy independence and insanity I largely argued the same.
The sad truth is that the legacy effect – basically the 300 million+ vehicles already on US roads – will guzzle oil for the next two decades, and today we’re still only replacing a fraction of that fleet every year with 97.5 percent more gas guzzlers. Unfortunately, this legacy effect will almost certainly have to be addressed with new sources of domestic fossil fuels if any timely action on US foreign oil dependence is to be possible.
Of course, new domestic production cannot secure long term US energy independence. As a result the President believes that new fuel standards, alternative energies and greater efficiencies must be the long term focus.
Similarly, I’ve argued that we use domestic energy sources to keep more jobs and money in the US, reduce military exposure in the Middle East, and then use this gain to fund the kinds of alternative energies that can truly power America’s future. Oil and natural gas are not the future, but both resources can help bridge the gap to a new energy future. Objectively speaking, something like natural gas, or even alternative sources of oil, can actually help drive next generation renewable technologies, while also addressing the legacy effect – the key to timely energy independence.
Ingenuity, plus smart regulations, and long term planning can turn new drilling into a win-win. Yet, I cannot help but wonder if the President has the political capital to drive such a plan.
Obviously, those on the “drill, drill, drill” right are open to new drilling and are sure to appreciate Obama’s possible openness to the possibility of a serious embrace of something like natural gas.
But is Obama really open to new drilling? Are Democrats? Even if Obama and Democrats are willing to embrace new drilling, will Republicans be willing to submit to far more aggressive CAFE requirements and big investments into alternative energies as part of a comprehensive, long term energy policy?
One way or another, it seems only serious political compromise, especially with Republicans, can put the President’s plan into action. Unfortunately, the hate between the parties seems to only be increasing as electioneering has become an every day part of the political process.
Then there are the consumers whom the President correctly noted are quite “whimsical” regarding US energy policy. When gas prices are high we demand solutions for cheaper energy. When gas prices decline, we don’t care about energy. WE, the people, are a big part of the problem.
For now, the President’s plan is more about talking points than reality. Moving forward – at least before another election – will require significant Republican support. That doesn’t bode well for the President’s plans, but if he can bridge the parties together on this issue, he’ll have achieved one of the greatest Presidential maneuvers – as well as one of the most important – in US history.
Hopefully, the President, Congress and the People are ready to seize the opportunity.
Yeah, Smurf. When I think about that angle, I get scared and think I need to move.
I can get by without a car thanks to the subway, but if the crap hits the fan the thugs will rule and my neighborhood is a little tough. Even if I had an EV and solar power, it would be stolen instantly if things go really bad.
Regardless, this is the first time the President has really opened the door on something like natural gas. That’s an issue that can bridge the gap between the left and right, at least theoretically – at least it’s as close as we have been for some time. I really believe the President and the Republican leadership – if there is such a thing with the Tea Party now becoming a force – have an incredible opportunity to do something great – but I really worry that such a consensus is just impossible in our current political climate.
Yet, this might be our best chance ever. It’s gonna be just short of impossible, but there’s still a chance.
And who was it that voted for all the people in charge of what you are speaking about Joshua?
Unfortunately, that’s neither cheap nor easy in the short term, David. Likewise, if battery-based, for instance, numerous breakthroughs could make any battery system bought today outdated quite quickly.
This is definitely part of the long term plan, but short term – at least the next decade – it won’t offer much.
And what about building energy storage systems? They could contribute a great deal to decreasing the demand for carbon based fuels in electricity production and help to reduce the overall amount of nuclear waste.
That’s nice to hear something like energy independence once again from our president, but what is the biggest problem is not “WE”, it’s governing & lobbing corporate lobby,
May be you think why it’s simple:
Why they doesn’t investing to improve our public transport system, which can reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Why they doesn’t implementing new generation electric fleet into gov. line up till now. (Toyota RV released a decade before)
Why they didn’t push the automakers to improve the fuel efficiency before recession.
their are lot of question, but we hope this type they can do something on ground than speeches.
This implementation may take years & may rise new question like nuclear waste, battery waste, greener energy generation, safety etc.. but hope for a better tomorrow.
I agree KP & Dahc that we are headed for a very rude awakening.
We will eventually reach the day where there isn’t enough oil, or the oil will be cut off America is not ready for that day. when it comes,things will get very ugly very quickly.
Personally, I am doing everything I can to make sure “I” am prepared. I don’t plan on paying $10-$20 per gallon for a vehicle that gets 20 mpg or less…
I can’t disagree, KP, that there is a great chance that there is “going to be one ugly sobering-up to our energy addiction”. I think we’re already playing Russian roulette. And, I do believe it is possible that the President might be just saying what the people – at least the people listening – want to hear. Even worse, I think it’s also possible the President could be just playing some kind of political game.
Yet, there is also the possibility that the President is willing to stake his Presidency on this issue.
Couldn’t agree more about “WE” as the major problem, Smurf. And, we can do our part, but it still seems like the major problem is that there isn’t a “WE”. Instead, there is an “US” versus “THEM”. It’s that division that has led to lots of talk decade after decade regarding energy independence, but few results.
In terms of my two cents, there are immense opportunities for the US to be built around the drive to energy independence, and in my opinion, the President has provided a blue print that touches upon most of the key areas. Certainly, some might argue, the President is putting too much emphasis on such and such, but he has put forth a framework that is worthy of serious discussion and a national conversation around an issue that might be the most important issue of our time.
I would love to lay this problem in Obama’s lap, but the truth of the matter is that Obama was “right” in his speech…”WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM”. Evidence of this is that only 1.5% of us are willing to buy fuel efficient vehicles.
We all want foreign oil independence, but we are all looking for “THEM” to fix the problem.
Who is them? Obama, Congress, Scientists, Oil companies, automakers… You name it.
The truth is, the situation is not going to change unless “WE” begin doing something about it.
When I say “WE”, I mean us folks on this blog.
We on this blog are the most passionate about this, so we need to take a leadership role in solving the problem. We do that by embracing today’s fuel efficient solutions (whatever they are), not by waiting for tomorrow’s perfect solution….
Just my two cents worth….
He just tells people what they want to hear. The only first answer is to use less, LOTS less. Americans don’t understand that. They won’t be inconvenienced. They just don’t have a good reply at this point because every exit is blocked: Expensive gas; BP spill proving worse than expected; nuclear is no-go due to Fukushima; tighter state budgets mean corporations are getting leeway to loosen their environmental belts and pollute more.
This is going to be one ugly sobering-up to our energy addiction. After being sold up the river by the guy I voted for on Guantanamo closure, overseas military intervention, and Wall Street raping America, I have no — wait LESS than no — faith in Obama. His words and a token probably won’t even get you that proverbial subway ride.