An Open Letter to Our Next President about Energy

[profgoose]

Mr. or Madam President,

Vice President Dick Cheney once famously quipped "The American way of life is non-negotiable." I submit that while our next president might not be so brash in stating this, the root of our energy problems can be traced to this attitude. But, nature doesn't negotiate. It doesn't appear that any of the remaining presidential candidates understand the basis of the problems we face: Oil is a depleting, finite resource - albeit one crucial for the "American way of life."

Because this resource is so crucial - and obviously not just for Americans - depletion is going to drive prices up as consumers bid for dwindling supplies. Threatening to sue OPEC isn't going to change that. Threatening to tax Big Oil into submission isn't going to change that. Mandating that we will invent new technologies to meet a greatly increased Renewable Fuel Standard isn't going to change that. These are the sorts of proposals that merely demonstrate that your grasp of the problem is superficial. And you have to understand the problem in order to begin addressing it.

Shouldn't we also consider what happens when our "non-negotiable" way of life impacts the way of life for others worldwide? What if the Saudis also consider their way of life non-negotiable? Is suing them supposed to force them to negotiate? What about the person in Kenya whose way of life is eased by the very small amount of oil they consume? Shall we negotiate with that person, or just not invite them to the table while we price them out of the market?

Let's first consider common ground that you and I may have. I presume we would agree that our dependence on oil is not healthy. It puts the economy in a very vulnerable position. It helps to enrich some countries that are hostile to us. It increases carbon dioxide emissions. I think this reflects the positions of all remaining candidates, and is consistent with my own position.

Now let's consider a position on which apparently differ sharply: Gas prices must come down. While I understand the position of the average American that we are paying too much for gasoline - what impact do you think price has on demand? Higher prices will eventually spur conservation and encourage alternatives - which helps achieve the objectives of lowering our dependence by lowering our usage. Isn't this what you want? Instead, all three candidates propose measures to bring down gasoline prices - thus encouraging consumption. Can't you see the inconsistency in your position?

(and there's a whole bunch of ideas after the jump...Robert's done a really nice job on this.)

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/3915

[phantom power]

1. The next president just needs to jawbone the speculators with windfall taxes on OPEC!

With electric fuel cell cars! Or something.

[excess_3]

2. the electric car is coming. n/t

[zonmoy]

3. Not for too long.

problem wont be solved by manufacturing electric cars using technologies that will need oil or other fossil fuel energies to build. we need to figure out ways for all of our technologies to get off of fossil fuels or else all will fail.

[Nihil]

4. Let's hope the next president can read ...

... and not only has sufficient brain-cells to understand the meaning
of the words but also the courage to stand up against their sponsors.

(Not holding my breath though)