America's Energy Needs
Tim Garner
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Opinion
The price of energy has been rising very rapidly as the summer approaches. Oil prices are currently near $115 per barrel and gasoline is selling for about $3.50 per gallon. Food prices are also increasing around the world, triggered in part by high fuel prices. Even with these conditions, much of the oil reserves in the United States of America are off limits to drilling. Congress has repeatedly refused to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, even though it has been shown that the environmental impact would be minimal.
Any actions taken by the federal government to combat greenhouse gas emissions will only compound the problem of high energy costs. If a cap and trade system is implemented for carbon dioxide emissions, energy prices could rise even more quickly. Congress should refrain from passing any legislation that would place limits on carbon dioxide emissions, because doing so would affect energy prices but would not change the climate at all.
Much of the discussion about solutions to high energy prices centers on the idea of alternative energy. Many believe that alternative energy is the solution to our energy problems and that it will make the United States energy independent. That may be so, but it will be a long time before alternative energy can supply our needs.
There are a number of things that can be done now to ensure that the United States will have a sufficient supply of affordable energy. Oil reserves both offshore and in Alaska can be opened for drilling to increase the domestic supply of oil. The permitting process for new power plants and refineries can be streamlined. The time has come to stop allowing America's energy policies to be dictated by radical environmentalists.
Any actions taken by the federal government to combat greenhouse gas emissions will only compound the problem of high energy costs. If a cap and trade system is implemented for carbon dioxide emissions, energy prices could rise even more quickly. Congress should refrain from passing any legislation that would place limits on carbon dioxide emissions, because doing so would affect energy prices but would not change the climate at all.
Much of the discussion about solutions to high energy prices centers on the idea of alternative energy. Many believe that alternative energy is the solution to our energy problems and that it will make the United States energy independent. That may be so, but it will be a long time before alternative energy can supply our needs.
There are a number of things that can be done now to ensure that the United States will have a sufficient supply of affordable energy. Oil reserves both offshore and in Alaska can be opened for drilling to increase the domestic supply of oil. The permitting process for new power plants and refineries can be streamlined. The time has come to stop allowing America's energy policies to be dictated by radical environmentalists.