US Energy Policy Debate Thread

[smitchell333]

Since all the politicians are talking about US energy independence lets address some of the issues. One rule - if you post you have to bring some data to back up what you're saying.

It seems to me that it is a mathematical fact that US energy independence would only be possible with drastic alternative energy and conservation. Our reserves of oil are so small compared to other places in the world and compared to our consumption. By my math, from data from here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves
http://www.eia.doe.gov/basics/quickoil.html

it looks like were we to be 100% oil independent we'd have a whopping 2.78 years until we were dry.

US Oil reserves 21,000,000,000 Barrels
US Oil Consumption/day 20,680,000 Barrels
US Oil Consumption/Year 7,548,200,000 Barrels

Oil reserves/consumption per year = 2.78

So how in the world does the GOP think 'Drill Baby Drill' is going to solve our challenges?

[timvwcom]

...One rule - if you post you have to bring some data to back up what you're saying...

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg91/SherriDphotos/48994laughing_cat.gif

[Core Shot]

Natural gas and Oil Shale and Coal and NUKE-YOU-LAR powr.

You ignore all those sources of energy.

Also, Most "energy independence" ideas include Canada as the 51st state. They have lots of gas and oil, and oil shale.

[pisteoff]

So how in the world does the GOP think 'Drill Baby Drill' is going to solve our challenges?

They don't, they're just pandering. That's the sad thing about politics nowadays, you can't get elected without a good story - regardless of the facts. Telling the truth (when the truth is bad) is one of those political third rails.

[Jer]

Cars that run off unicorn shit are just around the corner I tell's ya!

[Tippster]

We will never stop buying oil from Saudi Arabia. Never. we'll stop buying from Mexico and Canada before we stop importing from them.

We keep that government alive and the Wahhabi somewhat contained. They are our #1 strategic ally in the Gulf, one of our main customers for military hardware (trade deficit.) Imagine if an UNFRIENDLY government was in place there. That would make Iran look like petulant children.

[str8line]

An interesting interview with Tom Friedman regarding ET(Energy Technology) and his new book about the need for the U.S. to become a leader in the field.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=26591116&#26591180

[LegoSkier]

An interesting interview with Tom Friedman regarding ET(Energy Technology) and his new book about the need for the U.S. to become a leader in the field.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=26591116?

Thanks for the link, I might have to pick that up and give it a read. Classic line in there about letting China be dirty and coming back in 5 years to clean their clock by selling everything to them for a change. I just don't see how people can't see this. Money is made by change and innovation and this century is the greatest moment of technological change humans have seen in the history of our species. I have bet my future on this (forgoing 2 years of salary and going 80k further in debt on top of that) because I not only believe it is the right thing to do but that it is a great investment financially. Cleantech will make those in the game a ton of money and it has the power to restore the American manufacturing base.

[schindlerpiste]

We will never stop buying oil from Saudi Arabia. Never. we'll stop buying from Mexico and Canada before we stop importing from them.

We keep that government alive and the Wahhabi somewhat contained. They are our #1 strategic ally in the Gulf, one of our main customers for military hardware (trade deficit.) Imagine if an UNFRIENDLY government was in place there. That would make Iran look like petulant children.


This is very true, but it would be nice if we did not depend upon gulf oil, especially if Iran decides to cut off the Gulf of Hormuz.

[smitchell333]

This is very true, but it would be nice if we did not depend upon gulf oil, especially if Iran decides to cut off the Gulf of Hormuz.

Well yes it would be nice, but how? Certainly not by simply drilling our supply.

I think we need to conserve our oil reserves so we have as much for ourselves - call it national security reserves. At present our strategic petroleum reserve is 707 million barrels so that would mean our longtime reserves would be 40X that. http://www.spr.doe.gov/dir/dir.html


Here is a comparison of the two candidtates' energy policies: http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/08/13/america/OUKWD-UK-USA-POLITICS-ENERGY.php

[Summit]

Mobile Power:

Pour tons of money into battery research and fuel cell research. Until that pans out, start shale oil extraction with in-situ processing. It will also ensure that we have oil for systems where petroleum products cannot be replaced by renewables.

Grid Power:

End ethanol subsidies (this will lower food prices).
Start building tons of nuke plants right now. This will make sure we have generating capacity available to generate the renewable fuels and charge batteries for mobile power. These new reactors should include fuel reprocessing facilities, breeder reactors, and waste burning reactors. It will allow us to use most existing waste for fuel or convert it to short lived waste. It will also drastically reduce the need for uranium mining.
Build wind turbines too because we shouldn't put all the eggs in one basket.