Chris Murphy wants new energy policy
Following his comments at Elim Park, Chris Murphy visited town hall for a brief press conference. There he spoke about a new energy policy for America (NHR, by Luther Turmelle).
According to the article, he's definitely talking about alternative fuels, as well as taking on OPEC and Big Oil. My hope though is that he reads the December 2006 report issued by the Energy Security Leadership Council.
This report, entitled Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence, gives the best analysis of America's oil dependency that I've seen to date.
Their cover letter concludes:
Then their report sets forth three main goals:America's oil dependence threatens the prosperity and safety of the nation. Continued policy paralysis is unacceptable precisely because we can take action to improve our energy security. Many challenges lie ahead, but we have no doubt that the efforts of the American people will meet with success.
The time for action arrived long ago. We must not waste another moment.
1) increase CAFE standards
2) increase production (and efficiency) of alternative fuels
3) increase drilling within US borders (with strict environmental controls)
And if you add up all the numbers in the report, they suggest that even after 25 years of doing all this... America will still be reliant on foreign sources for 30% of our oil.
I really hope Murphy reads this report and takes action on all three parts. And yes... I realize that environmentalists will be upset with the part about increasing US drilling (probably ANWR, among other places), but we have a choice... rely on US oil (and protect the environment through our own controls) or continue our reliance on foreign oil (much from the mideast) indefinitely.
As always, it's a balancing act. But I'd weigh much more heavily on getting out of the middle east and take our chances with our own rules about protecting the environment.
Tim White
6 comments:
Tim. From what I understand oil that is drilled in the ANWR provence will eventually be shipped to China. Why would we drill for oil in the US and then send it abroad? Also there is a short supply of oil there anyway, if we stop using SUV's we would not need to drill there at all! Bush refuses to increase mileage standards on cars. The oil companies are stating that the high cost of gas is mostly from a lack of refineries not oil (that's this weeks answer).
From what I've heard, CAFE standards face the most difficulty from congressional oil state Republicans and auto maker state Democrats.
SUVs... I drive a civic hybrid... partly due to a sales tax incentive I received from the state... the state should do more of that... but focus more on fuel efficiency, and less on "hybrid" status.
As for shipping to China... I hadn't heard that. If that were the case, it wouldn't make any sense to me... my goal is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
All I know is that Chris Murphy complained last year that gas was $2.50 and now it is $3.35 and he hasn;t doen a damm thing
Ban SUV's...maybe we should also adopt China's one child policy....
If we want lower prices we need more suppply. DUH
If you have cars etc. that get better MPG you will have more supply. That's what I'm trying to do. I don't know what others are doing. Let's all conserve.
6:32:00 AM "All I know is that Chris Murphy complained last year that gas was $2.50 and now it is $3.35 and he hasn't doen a damm thing"
He voted for the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act.
"H.R. 1252, amended, to protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 284 yeas to 141 nays, Roll No. 404."
Can you explain what "price gouging" is?
When you can demonstrate Murphy has done something useful to increase energy supply (this eliminates the ability to "gouge" post again, amigo
BTW, I know Chris was watching Romper Room when this was going on but we tried energy price controls under Carter...sure was fun filling only 10 gallons for the odd numbered plate car on odd numbered days...now wasn;t it
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