KEEP DRILLING IN THE GULF!!!

A very interesting post from http://consumerenergyalliance.org This follows this post about mining in Appalachia and this previous article about the recent news about offshore drilling to encourage American energy independence This is a key issue to prevent money from going to hostile countries such as Iran and Venezuela. For more posts like this click here.

KEEP DRILLING IN THE GULF!!!
As workers continue to battle the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and real questions are being asked about the regulatory and industry safeguards for domestic oil and gas development, the time is now to step back and reflect on our nation’s overall energy needs, current energy policy and consider implementation of a safe and balanced energy policy for America.
In recent days, President Obama has made it clear that despite the current crisis and the panic that some are feeling, he believes in the necessity of American oil and gas development, referring to it as “an essential part of our overall energy strategy.” Consumer Energy Alliance strongly agrees with the President’s view of the importance of oil & gas resources to the nation’s security, economic recovery and future potential for tremendous job and national revenue growth. President Obama, too, has said, “Our dependence on foreign oil endangers our security and our economy.” CEA agrees with the President and recognizes the necessity of developing American resources.
The President has made the point that in order to produce American oil and gas, “all drilling must be safe.” And, without a doubt, safety must be the top priority in moving forward from the oil spill.
Regarding alternative energy, such as wind, solar and biofuels, President Obama has said that investments must be made in a whole range of approaches to cleaner energy sources as well as a renewed focus on energy efficiency. CEA agrees that development of new sources of energy is a necessary and valuable addition to the country’s overall energy policy.
Still, those who gain attention in the media loudly advocating an immediate switch from traditional sources, such as oil and gas, solely over to renewable sources of energy, are not taking a realistic approach to America’s energy needs or the capabilities of current technology. President Obama, who is a strong and committed supporter of new alternative energy technologies, recognizes that switching America over to only alternative energy immediately is impossible. Many years of research, hard work and technological breakthroughs are necessary before that could become even a remote possibility.
Right now, the American economy is dependent on oil and gas resources – the nation needs 18 million barrels of oil each and every day. Of that, 1.7 million barrels a day comes from the Gulf of Mexico, with 1.4 million barrels directly from deepwater Gulf operations. Without deepwater oil, the nation’s consumers will face additional hardship in an already fragile economy with more than 14 million Americans still out of work.
More than 60 percent of oil used by Americans is currently imported, which causes an unnecessary dependence on often unstable foreign sources of energy. Recognizing this, President Obama said earlier this week, “To the extent that we’re using oil, it makes sense for us to develop our oil and natural gas resources here in the United States and not simply rely on imports. That’s important for our economy; that’s important for economic growth.”
Oil and natural gas currently provide more than 60 percent of country’s energy needs and coal provides an additional 23 percent approximately. Nuclear energy represents 9 percent of American energy use, while renewable energy sources – including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, geothermal and all other alternative sources combined – only meet about 7 percent of the nation’s energy needs!
Clearly, with the country’s strong dependence on oil and gas and the possibility of a real alternative energy economy at least decades from reality, now is the appropriate time to take a time-out and carefully review our offshore oil and gas operations from top to bottom and recognize their importance. America’s offshore resources, including those in offshore Alaska, are some of its greatest and most necessary assets, but they must be developed in a safe, thoughtful and environmentally sustainable manner.
The nation as a whole and consumers are still mired in a recession. Unemployment remains very high. The impacts of the gulf spill on the overall economy haven’t even been felt yet, but they are there and they are real.
That said, for better or worse, our nation (and the world) long ago tied our collective future to oil and gas. That will not change for the next several decades, even as we strive to add significant sources of alternative renewable energy to a balanced long-term plan for America.
As the oil spill is resolved and its economic and environmental effects are cleaned up and returned to normal, let’s take a time out and regroup with a renewed focus on safety, with the hope that a robust energy plan that includes the safe development of all American resources is the end result … and, yes, offshore oil & natural gas will be an essential, reasonable and responsible part of that plan