Energy sources and the economy - Yehuda YJ Draiman

Energy sources and the economy - YJ Draiman

Our efforts to lower energy costs, invest in renewable energy resources, promote energy independence and create a stronger more secure economy. Increasing the nation's overall energy efficiency requires a multifaceted approach. The National Resources Defense Council reports that America's energy bill will increase by $420 billion annually within the next five years if we do nothing to reduce our dependence on oil and fossil fuels. That amounts to $3,500 annually for every family in the nation.

 

It is also important to address the issue of skyrocketing gas prices. There is a misconception that simply increasing production by allowing more drilling is going to magically lower gas prices. However, since 2000, the amount of drilling has increased dramatically over the past four years. In fact, since 2003, the federal government has issued far more drilling permits than the oil companies have acted on. Nearly 80 percent of offshore oil is in areas that are already open for exploration. We have to enact legislation to force oil companies to drill on the more than million acres of land that they have leased, yet remain unused.

 

We must also develop a comprehensive plan to address the serious energy crisis that this country faces.  We cannot drill our way out of this problem given that the U.S. contains 2.2 percent of world oil reserves and consumes 25.9 percent of the world's oil consumption. Rather than invoking our brawn, we must utilize our brains and innovate, as Americans have done for generations. We can no longer afford to throw our limited federal dollars at the feet of oil giants, and must begin investing in American ingenuity and create an American clean energy economy.

 

For the United States the choice is clear, either we can drill our way further into oil dependence, turn a blind eye to the destruction of the environment while we suck out and burn every last drop of oil, and we can exacerbate public health and wellness with the extraction and consumption of dirty fuels; or we can create a new energy economy that creates millions of jobs and protects the environment and public health of future generations.

 

People have to take into account that the price of oil prices is set globally taking into account demand and the economy, therefore additional production of oil in the United States will not affect oil prices substantially. People have to remember that in Europe the cost of a gallon of gas is approximately $7-$9.

 

The United States must build new refineries to address demand and reduce interruptions in refining capacity. We can also shift more energy consumption to natural gas which is cleaner. At the same time continue the development of Renewable Energy and Energy efficiency.

 

We must also address the conservation of Water and utilize and develop new technology for water resources. We must remember "Water is the source of life, treasure it".

 

Can we drill our way to economic recovery?

 

YJ Draiman

 

http://yjdraiman.org