Several times throughout history get things have been proposed during tough times to boost the moral of the country and to give it a national goal. Out of these came programs such as NASA. The agency, and the country got a boost when President Kennedy challenged the country to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960’s.
Inspired by such people, I now propose that this country set forth on a mission to become energy independent by 2020. There are many reasons for this, including the prices and national security. The plan should be multi-faceted, providing solutions from many different sources. Each part of the solution should take into consideration the environment, the sustainability of the source, the costs and efficiency.
It does no one any good to provide a source of energy that no one can afford, is not efficient, cannot be maintained and/or destroys in real terms, the environment.
According to energy experts, including oil field engineers, the range of time for extracting new sources of oil is between one and ten years. This means that some sources will only take one year, others three, some five, and still others ten years to start producing. This is because we have several fields, both on shore and off, that are in various states of readiness. In many cases, there is the real need for exploration before drilling, then of course the time consuming process of applying for permits before any drilling of some sites can even start.
For the oil companies, this means an investment in the billions of dollars, but an investment they are willing and prepared to make.
In some cases, such as Gull Island, WA, many wells have already been drilled, but ordered capped by the EPA. Currently the Prudhoe Bay field is producing some two million barrels each day. As the Kuparuk field on Gull Island is at least as large as Prudhoe, possibly even twice as large, and we have already drilled, this oil can be in use in less than one year. There is one caveat though. The oil companies, once they are allowed to pump the oil, are so afraid of what OPEC might do in response, they want a guarantee of $25.00 minimum per barrel. I see no real problem with this.
The last time we decided to significantly increase domestic oil supplies, OPEC dropped prices below cost and took the profit right out of the market. I do not favor government controls of any market, but considering the price of oil as of this writing is above $140.00/barrel, I can live with this guarantee.
Along with the oil comes natural gas reserves. As over 52% of all homes use natural gas for home heating and cooking, it is essential these reserves are also tapped into.
Next is coal. The United States has more coal than anyone in the world. We have new technologies, with more on the way, to use coal efficiently and cleanly. Coal is inexpensive and abundant. Lets go get it!
If this current situation has taught us anything, it is that we must explore new sources of energy. Even Ben Franklin advised not to put all our eggs in one basket. And there are many sources to explore, including some few have ever even heard of. But again, these must be efficient, sustainable and affordable to all.
Some want electric cars. This is fine, but these have a very limited range and still need to be charged using large amounts of electricity that must be produced. This means more power generation, which means we need more power plants.
While they cost the most to build, nuclear power plants are among the most efficient. They are also very clean and actually very safe. The big problem? What to do with the waste! However, countries such as France have pretty much solved the problem simply by recycling the fuel rods! They do not have a problem with waste as there is none. We can have hundred new plants on line by 2020.
Coal fired and natural gas powered plants are also fine, but only if we are allowed to get the fuels for their operation. They are much cheaper and faster to build, but cost more to operate. They are also more volatile in that they are susceptible to price swings in energy costs.
Wind, solar, hydrogen, water, plasma… These are all being looked into for various answers. This is as it should be. Some are thinking the answer lies only with one or two of these, mostly wind and water. I say go for them all!
However, government subsidies should not be considered here. If the government is to have anything to do with the development of any source of fuel or energy source, it should be to allow private enterprises to proceed full steam ahead, making certain that all reasonable laws concerning fraud, the environment and consumer safety are followed.
I do propose a reward program. For those who are the first to develop new sources of energy, as well as vehicles that can run efficiently and affordably, (including the cost to obtain and own the vehicles,) we should reward their efforts. I do not really see things such as a $300 million dollar reward such as Senator McCain has proposed for the development of a new battery, but certainly something that would make a decent incentive to invent and produce. For those who succeed, they will also reap the rewards of putting their ideas into the market place. The rewards should be granted only after the fact. Grants given before hand tend to undermine results. Knowing the reward is waiting upon completion gives a tremendous incentive to work hard and produce real results.
We are America. We should be leading the world. The rest of the world should either follow our example or come running to us for our new products. This will not only reduce our dependence on carbon based fuels in the long run, it will eliminate our dependence on foreign sources of fuel, cause prices to not only stabilize but become affordable for all. We will stimulate the economy in a big way by introducing new products to the national and world markets and provide lots of jobs!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
What Happened To My State?
I was born in Rutland, Vermont back in 1958. I lived much of my youth there. I lived in several places around the state. Much of what formed the person I am today came from the values that were part of every day life in the Green Mountain State.
Life in Vermont in those days was, full of work and play, but no real worries. We took care of the morning chores before heading off to school. We played outside until dark, then clean up for dinner, homework and bed.
In the summer we spent our time in the woods hiking and fishing, swimming, bike riding, baseball… all the things kids love to do on a warm, sunny day. In the winter there was sledding, skiing, even hunting. Most of this was done without direct parental supervision. (Ahh, but do not think that we, as children were not taught about safety and responsibility, and we never used weapons unless we had an adult with us.) For the most part, our parents only worried that we might injure ourselves falling out of a tree or some other mishap related to normal childhood activity.
If something did happen, which was actually rare, we all knew that we could count on our neighbors. In fact, taking care of and looking out for our neighbors was an everyday thing.
A snowy winter morning might consist of shoveling the walk and plowing out the drive, followed by taking care of the widow or elderly neighbor down the road. This would include making sure they had enough heat, (many times kerosene or wood,) and food. Doors were rarely, if ever locked. The biggest exception would be when the summer squash would come in. This grew in abundance, and everyone had some, so much in fact they would leave it on your table when you were out, or put a large bag in your car while you were shopping! You locked the car and house just to keep from getting more!
I moved out of the state many years ago, mostly because economic opportunities were not all that abundant. I have been back as a visitor many times, but it was not the same as the carefree childhood playground I grew up in. Most of the farms are now gone. Many of the residents were outsiders, not native to the state. People did not know, or even care about their neighbors. Security gates abound, along with signs waning trespassers about the consequences of entering where they are no longer welcome. The old swimming hole, Elfin Lake located just outside of Wallingford, is now a gated community where only the elite can afford to live, and only those with permission can enter.
The government has become a haven for socialists who claim they care, but leave the unconnected in the cold. Where we once knew our elected officials by first name, few even know what they look like. Where once we could trust our neighbors, sex offenders are allowed to roam free, the security locks and bars on the windows are the only thing between the safety of the children and the predators.
This has been coming for a very long times now and, unfortunately, is a symptom of things to come on a national level as we “progress” toward the same thinking as those who have destroyed my once beloved state.
Back in January of 2006, Fox News commentator Bill O’Rielly highlighted the case of Judge Edward Cashman who handed down a 60 day sentence to Mark Hulett who admitted to raping a 7 year old so many time, he did not remember the number. Officials have said they have the most progressive and successful sex offender rehabilitation program in the country. This appears so successful that many sex offenders have moved to the state because they know they will never receive a harsh sentence, or any real punishment at all. In fact, according to the news reports and a few contacts in the state, it now appears that many of these sex offenders are now part of organized sex rings, operated right under the collective noses of the very officials who claim these people simply need understanding and help. This is not the help our society needs, nor is it the same sort of help we offered our neighbors back in the day.
Life in Vermont in those days was, full of work and play, but no real worries. We took care of the morning chores before heading off to school. We played outside until dark, then clean up for dinner, homework and bed.
In the summer we spent our time in the woods hiking and fishing, swimming, bike riding, baseball… all the things kids love to do on a warm, sunny day. In the winter there was sledding, skiing, even hunting. Most of this was done without direct parental supervision. (Ahh, but do not think that we, as children were not taught about safety and responsibility, and we never used weapons unless we had an adult with us.) For the most part, our parents only worried that we might injure ourselves falling out of a tree or some other mishap related to normal childhood activity.
If something did happen, which was actually rare, we all knew that we could count on our neighbors. In fact, taking care of and looking out for our neighbors was an everyday thing.
A snowy winter morning might consist of shoveling the walk and plowing out the drive, followed by taking care of the widow or elderly neighbor down the road. This would include making sure they had enough heat, (many times kerosene or wood,) and food. Doors were rarely, if ever locked. The biggest exception would be when the summer squash would come in. This grew in abundance, and everyone had some, so much in fact they would leave it on your table when you were out, or put a large bag in your car while you were shopping! You locked the car and house just to keep from getting more!
I moved out of the state many years ago, mostly because economic opportunities were not all that abundant. I have been back as a visitor many times, but it was not the same as the carefree childhood playground I grew up in. Most of the farms are now gone. Many of the residents were outsiders, not native to the state. People did not know, or even care about their neighbors. Security gates abound, along with signs waning trespassers about the consequences of entering where they are no longer welcome. The old swimming hole, Elfin Lake located just outside of Wallingford, is now a gated community where only the elite can afford to live, and only those with permission can enter.
The government has become a haven for socialists who claim they care, but leave the unconnected in the cold. Where we once knew our elected officials by first name, few even know what they look like. Where once we could trust our neighbors, sex offenders are allowed to roam free, the security locks and bars on the windows are the only thing between the safety of the children and the predators.
This has been coming for a very long times now and, unfortunately, is a symptom of things to come on a national level as we “progress” toward the same thinking as those who have destroyed my once beloved state.
Back in January of 2006, Fox News commentator Bill O’Rielly highlighted the case of Judge Edward Cashman who handed down a 60 day sentence to Mark Hulett who admitted to raping a 7 year old so many time, he did not remember the number. Officials have said they have the most progressive and successful sex offender rehabilitation program in the country. This appears so successful that many sex offenders have moved to the state because they know they will never receive a harsh sentence, or any real punishment at all. In fact, according to the news reports and a few contacts in the state, it now appears that many of these sex offenders are now part of organized sex rings, operated right under the collective noses of the very officials who claim these people simply need understanding and help. This is not the help our society needs, nor is it the same sort of help we offered our neighbors back in the day.
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