On Demand
Is Energy Independence Desirable?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Everybody is talking about energy independence, but is it really achievable, or even desirable? Robert Bryce savagely attacks our cherished green beliefs about alternative energy sources and the entire concept of energy independence in Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of Energy Independence.
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Pleas ask how closely he's looked at the science vis a vis the politics associated with alternative energy production (green production of a sigificant portion of our energy needs seems plausible numerically in the near term from my vantage point)? The numbers should dictate the debate not the other way around.
My main concern about "energy independence" is the effect that extracting ourself from an interdependent economic system will have on foreign policy. There's an old saying that if goods don't cross borders, armies do. If we don't need their oil, oil-producing countries will have no value to us. Of course, oil-producing countries also funnel those financial benefits to the top, ruling class. That's a negative impact, but what will they do without oil to sell?
please ask about cellulosic ethanol and other emerging technologies
Isn't it true that if we find solar alternatives for our entire nation we can end all of this? Can't we have battery powered cars?
This all makes no sense. It's an easy fix. The end justifies the means.
Solar collecting roads, paint, roofing tiles, the desert.
It's been shown that blaming ethanol for the rising food prices is a red herring. The foodstuffs that have gone up in price are not used for ethanol.
I'm interested in what he has to say, but I had to call him out on that.
I think that the speaker is currently biased since he is working as editor in chief of an industry rag.
Ask him if he thinks a "manhattan project"
development of alternate energies
(ie, RESEARCH Dollars) to get $1.00 (per watt) or less solar panels, as well as alternate ideas.
But oil companies receive about 19 billion in subsidies annually. And have enjoyed this subsidy for decades
Germany committed to subsidizing solar for a set period (20 years) by agreeing to purchase energy at a set rate for that long from anyone with a solar panel.
That's an example of using govt. subsidies to create positive change.
Oil and Corn subsidies are not in that catagory -- subsidies have existed for more than 60 years.
"It's been shown that blaming ethanol for the rising food prices is a red herring. The foodstuffs that have gone up in price are not used for ethanol.
I'm interested in what he has to say, but I had to call him out on that."
YOU ARE RIGHT!!! These prices are because oil is so expensive.
George Bush has spent nearly a decade doing nothing.
Solar, solar, solar.
The sun does it all! We need solar panels everywhere. New clean battery technology.
I can't believe your guest actually mentioned the term "Peak Oil". The media refuses to discuss thie reality.
"But oil companies receive about 19 billion in subsidies annually. And have enjoyed this subsidy for decades"
And these companies are supposed to spend the money "discovering" alternative fuels but none do.
Get him to talk about the amount of oil Canada supplies the US. It will shock you.
The idea behind energy independance is to ease the shock which will certainly occur when oil runs out. Also to ease the shock on the economy when OPEC decides to treat us like a yoyo.
follow the bio ; follow the money ...
The free lunch is SOLAR.
(see more on my blog for further info...
What about small (many) turbines inside the
subway tunnel converting into electricity.
Not big ones, but ones with small bulk
that will be powered by passing trains...
Supplemental energy is the way to start
energy markets international and i agree the "engery independance" slogan can be used in silly ways.
however, it seems to be a bit late in the game to rely on an unfettered subsidy-free market to solve all energy problems. oil and nuclear have enjoyed subsidies and protections for decades and competitive advantages gained won't go away instantly even if all subsidies stopped this instant.
AFAICT huge subsidies would be required to create a level playing field, which is unlikely, but some subsidies seems reasonable.
This guy is a shill for the old line energy industry (oil, coal, and gas). This interview is nearly as dishonest as the one Lenny ran a couple of weeks ago with the two promotors for the nuclear industry.
Did he really say a few minutes ago that people for energy independence are racists against Arab people?
Natural gas is somewhat renewable. Humans and every other animal make it every day as does all our decomposing garbage
a NEW "manhattan project" to develop
ALL ways of getting new energy is the way to go.
As well as a federal energy tax credit that will allow homeowners to deduct costs of altering their existing (and new) development.
And btw, I hope the us auto industry goes away because of
the problem of their insistence on pushing something they can sell (hydrogen cells...)
That is scandalous...
What about aluminum/gallium for creating hydrogen?
I would like to know where your guest thinks we will be in 50 + years. What technologies will we be using to produce energy? How will life be different?
Ah zach...
Yes... Methane... Using Methane from feed lots,
dairy farms, as well as 'dumps'.
That would be great.
There was a recent article on a mine in china that is taking the methane from thge mine, and feeding it into turbines to generate electricity.
Don't remember source.
a common problem for alternate fuels is refueling infrastructure. one reason its easier to sell alternate fuel vehicles to fleet owners is they usually have their own refueling infrastructures.
Bill : in 50 years where will we be?
I predict... in caves, with fur-skins one, in a pre-historic neo-society.
Re: new Manhattan Project
We got to the moon in 9 years--only 12 years since mankind was able to put a satellite in orbit.
It can't be that impossible to significantly decrease our dependence on oil/coal/nuclear.
Any candidate that strongly advocates for such an all-encompassing alternate energy program--from big business development to incentives for individuals-- gets my vote.
We don't drill in ANWR because there is only 2 years of oil there at our current rate of consumption total.
Energy independence is about national sovereignty.
The USA has interdependent relationships with other countries today, both economically and militarily — however, if America’s economic or military “interdependence” were to become “dependence” to the point of undermining national sovereignty, there would be a public outcry... much like we see today regarding America's oil dependence.
Extremists on the political Right mistakenly believe that energy independence will mean a retreat from global economic interdependence, a direction that would disrupt the global free market and lead America toward economic and political isolationism. In contrast, extremists on the political Left mistakenly believe energy independence will mean independence from all hydrocarbons and nuclear energy. Green extremists confuse energy independence with environmental issues. Energy and environmental issues do converge within the issues of resource sustainability and environmental pollution, but otherwise energy independence is not an environmental issue.
See:
http://www.AmericanEnergyIndependence.com
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