The Non Energy Bill

Michael requested that I express some thoughts on the current "energy" bill proposed by the House of Representatives and being debated by the Senate Energy Committe. I feel that a better title for the bill would be the "Non-Energy Bill." I will explain. I am under the opinion that all avenues for energy independence need to be pursued including greater access to off shore drilling and ANWAR. In a few days the drilling ban for off-shore areas will expire. Basically all the Congress needs to do to provide an increased access for off-shore drilling is nothing! The current proposed bill will allow drilling in the off-shore areas that we will be able to drill in anyhow. Proclaiming this bill will increase the ability to drill for oil is very misleading.

Furthermore, the bill would discontinue the ability for states to obtain revenue from oil drilling off of there coasts. This means fewer states would be likely to allow the drilling and those that did would charge huge up front costs to cover any "potential" problems that may occur. Basically if Congress did nothing there would be more drilling and a greater decrease in cost, then in they enact this bill.

The bill does contain language concerning alternative fuel sources. However, the disadvantages of the main alternatives proposed, natural gas and biofuel, greatly out weigh the advantages. Biofuels hurt the world's food market. I find it annoying that the same people who want to tax us to feed other countries want to use biofuel that will make that goal all the more expensive. If we do not help other countries with the price of food it will also cause more people to die of starvation. Not the best alternative.

Natural gas is also not a smart alternative. Try this thought experiment. A super majority of the US heats there homes and water using natural gas. The gasoline market has jumped nearly 300% in the last 4 years. Imagine what would happen if the fuel source used to heat homes jumped by 300% in the next four years. This is a terrible idea. Natural gas is a terrible alternative.

The proposed bill does allow for some oil shale development; at least this is an innovative way to get the fuel source we are all already using. Good Job! The bill does very little for any type of new nuclear energy and some for solar energy. In the end it is obvious that the Democrats finally understand that the US people want energy reform, but they are too far left to allow the policies that would make a change. This is ruse to decrease pressure from the public while actually making the process of becoming energy independent more difficult. At least Pres. Bush has promised to veto the bill if it comes to his desk. I would suggest going to the previous link for most references. This was a long writing with few references.