Fixing America’s Energy Crisis

If there was ever a need for an energy solution, now is that time.


Over the past several years, we have seen a dramatic rise in America’s energy needs. That demand has translated into a near debilitating blow to the most powerful economy, and in turn, country on earth.


Enhanced by a presidential election year, this crisis along with the economy has become the top two issues on most American’s minds. Iraq, terrorism and illegal immigration have all taken back seats to this hot-button topic.


So, how do we get out of this mess?


How do we move away from dependence of foreign oil? How do we lower gas prices for the average consumer? How do we responsibly enter the green age of energy without bankrupting the middle and lower class of America?


If you listen to Obama and the Democrats, higher taxes on “Big Oil” and rebate checks from their “windfall profits” are the key. (For the sake of keeping this blog on point, I won’t even get into the broader implications of socialism this line of thinking brings up, let alone the sense of entitlement and dependence of government this encourages.)


If you listen to the GOP, T. Boone Pickens and others, you get a more realistic answer with a chance to fix this in a viable way that’s economically sound for America.


Here’s what needs to happen:


Drill in America Now


Thanks to Newt Gingrich, the Drill Here, Drill Now Campaign and other Republican lawmakers, a push to drill in America again is under way.


Gaining speed in every corner of America, more and more American’s feel that drilling is the quickest and best short-term solution we have to lower gas prices and relieve our reliance on foreign oil.


I happen to agree with the forementioned majority.


Reflecting on this need for action, President Bush lifted an almost two decade old executive order that banned drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. This was mostly a symbolic response due to the 1982 drilling moratorium imposed by the 97th Congress, but the president’s action alone has translated into dramatic changes already. As if a leak was plugged in a sinking ship, oil futures soon stalled at an all time high of $147 a barrel and has been in a free-fall ever since, closing at $118 yesterday.


That’s a $29 drop in less than a month on speculation alone, and it’s already showing as a price drop at the pump. That should show people the possible results of drilling in America now.


Increasing Supply to Meet Demand


When you boil everything down to why our energy prices are so high, it’s simple economics: supply and demand.


As a country, we have an insatiable appetite for everything from the mundane to the exotic. It’s part of living in America.


Our need for energy is no different.


When the Democratically controlled House passed the drilling moratorium of 1982, America became its own worst enemy. We didn’t foresee the eventual reliance on countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to power America into the 21st century. We didn’t see the eventual chokehold that OPEC would have on the world’s leading economic engine.


In short, we didn’t think, but we now have a chance to rectify our mistake and increase oil supply here at home.


Along with the president's decisive actions, Congress needs to step up and do the same. The GOP certainly are trying even after the House adjourned for the summer, but Nancy Pelosi and her cohorts are doing everything they can to prevent what’s best for America.


The Democrats feel that taking oil from our strategic petroleum reserves would fix our problem, but that fix would be temporary and very short lived (we have 700 million barrels in the petroleum reserve and America uses 21 million barrels a day – you do the math). They also say that drilling now and putting American oil into our refining system would take a minimum of 10 years.


Oil companies are singing a different tune.


Major drilling and oil exploration companies like Diamond Offshore say it could take any where from four to five years for new supply from the Gulf of Mexico to enter the refining system. Imagine what effect that would have on our price at the pump? When it comes to these production numbers (four years vs. ten years), I’m more inclined to believe a company whose bottom line is to produce oil and not an idealistic Democrat from California who wants to save the world.


Madam Speaker, knowing that American oil could be in American refineries within four years and knowing that the American people want to drill, why won't you allow an up or down vote? The American people want results and you're preventing that from happening.


Enter the Green Age with a Realistic Transition


With all this talk of drilling out of the way, let me make this clear: I am for green energy.


Working for an eco-restoration company last year, I understand the need to live in a cleaner world so we can leave behind a better tomorrow. But what I don’t understand is running over the lower and middle class of America to get there. We can invest in alternative and renewable energy without compromising the wallets of Americans, but Democrats don't seem to understand that.


Since we live in a world that relies on oil, change cannot happen overnight. If it were, the economic consequences would be greater than anyone could imagine. Democrats and environmentalists must learn to understand this. It’s a transition that can be accomplished, but only in a realistic manner.


Take T. Boone Pickens and his plan for example. Using his plan to implement wind and other forms of alternative energy would help create a "green boom" in America. Couple that with drilling in the short-term, America’s economy and energy needs would be set for years to come.


Cap the Wells of the Past


Hopefully in the next 25 to 30 years, America will be well on its way to becoming an alternative fuel nation. Once we’ve established and begin producing a majority of our energy from alternative green sources, we can then move away from oil and coal as our main source of energy.


Let’s introduce energy solutions for America through realistic change and not through idealistic rhetoric. Let’s have a solution that makes sense for the American consumer, our economy and the environment. Let’s cap the wells of the past, but only when we’re ready to fully move into the green age of energy.


ER