Peak Oil: Everything is going to change (Conn. State Rep. Terry Backer)

[depakid]

More and more politicians are starting to get it. Most won't really start to get it though until there are shortages.

There is little government can do about the price of oil. That is not what people want to hear. Yet it is a fact. The U.S. government and all the states have no "Plan B." They continue to rely on a delusional "Plan A" — more oil and cheaper oil all the time.

Politicians, generally asleep at the wheel on this issue, have been shocked into trying to do something about the current and future problems arising from oil costs. They are spinning around looking for someone to blame, dazed by the precipitous rise from $50 per barrel last January to $126 this past week.

In an election year, members of Congress are beating the bushes trying to escape the fallout of their years of dozing in their seats. They point at speculation, greedy profit takers or big oil companies, perhaps all true to one extent or another. However, despite the rising chorus of voices pointing out rising demand coinciding with falling or flat production, they seem to be ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room that is "Peak Oil" production. Just a few years ago, Mexico, Russia, Norway, England and Indonesia were producing vast amounts of oil for the world market.

Today, England and Indonesia are net importers of oil, Russia's production is flat, Norway's production is falling and Mexico has informed us that their giant oil field, Canterall, is in terminal decline and may not be able to export after 2015.

Neither drilling in Alaska, the continental shelf or other ultra-deep-water sites will change the trends of less and more expensive oil. Only changing our infrastructure and consumption patterns will preserve somewhat our current lifestyle.

Connecticut broke out of the pack this month to become the first state in the country to make a major step forward in planning for the increasingly high cost and reduced availability of petroleum. With only 15 minutes remaining until the end of the 2008 General Assembly session, the state Senate approved by unanimous consent and sent to Gov. M. Jodi Rell the "Energy Scarcity and Security" bill.

The measure requires the state to develop a planning scenario model that will predict impacts based on the price of oil. The model will predict future impacts on heating, transportation, food cost, road paving, fleet operations, education, public health I think you get the idea. The outputs of the model will guide us in formulating Plans B, C and D for the state.

The model won't make more oil or cheaper oil; it will reveal to us the impacts on our citizens and our state before they happen. It will allow the Legislature and municipal governments to reprioritize what is possible and what is not.

More: http://www.connpost.com/oped/ci_9286142

[navarth]

1. good for Connecticut

[RC]

2. People tried to tell us over 35 years ago this was coming.

They were ignored, ridiculed, lambasted and/or swift boated into obscurity.
I have my Trek bike. How are you going to get around?

[kristopher]

3. People responded to 911 with panic and a lynch mob mentality

Now they are in an economic panic and displaying the same type of blindness.

There is overwhelming evidence that current prices are a reflection of economic planning on the part of producers and refiners; not a reflection of absolute lack of petroleum resource.

Refineries are running at 95% capacity and there is no rationing or lines for fuel. Supply=demand=proper pricing of product

I'm not saying the price isn't going higher. Most countries have, through taxation, pegged their petroleum prices for decades at $4-5 a gallon and their economies have not collapsed. I believe that tells more about the actual 'value' of gasoline than any other predictor.

[TMarcello]

4. I'm glad this is finally getting MSM coverage

it's about time.