Come One, Come All to the Energy Party!

Jul 30 2008 by Sara Lacey

7/30/08

Bush Drops Ban, But Will it Solve High-Gas-Price Hangover?

By: Sara Lacey

President Bush recently lifted an executive ban that restricted offshore oil drilling, but the move won’t affect gas prices unless Congress lifts its ban as well, according to the Associated Press. Bush says he’s trying to ease market tensions and boost oil supplies, but Congress hasn’t jumped on board yet.

Both the executive and congressional bans were enacted in 1990 (during the first President Bush’s administration) “to protect beaches and coastal states’ tourism economies.” Now the president is going to the energy party, and he’s hoping Congress will show up too (but not wearing the same outfit). He wants Congress to come along because his move means nothing unless it lifts its ban.

What would be the end result? How long will the party last? Let’s pretend that all bans are lifted, and exploration and drilling yield some of that bubblin’ crude … black gold … Texas Tea? The White House says we could get 18 billion barrels over time, but it would take years for production to start.

I’m really kind of nervous about how this energy party will turn out. I think it’s unwise to invite only one or two fuel solutions, such as oil and ethanol, to the dance. I mean, oil can still come, but with a drink limit. Then again, I’m the kind of person who invites everyone; I’m not gonna have a party with just a couple people. I’m starting to believe it’s unrealistic to expect that just one or two energy ideas will work for our whole country.

I think local options should stop being treated as wallflowers, and they should be researched and considered. For example, in areas where wind energy is successful, they should keep working on it and consider incorporating solar energy, too. In places where solar energy programs work, maybe they could chat up some biodiesels (not just Prom-Queen-Turned-Bad-Girl ethanol, but many other varieties, too). Multiple alternatives should be researched and encouraged in the places that make the most sense for them. Plug-ins, hybrids and hydrogen cars can totally gate-crash the party, too. And I’ll reiterate, oil would be a part of the fiesta, and maybe ethanol can come, but only for a little while to get the party started.

Am I too Hostess-With-The-Mostest for you? Maybe, but the limited oil supply in our energy savings account isn’t gonna make for a very big party. I want my kids to be able to dance at the party, not just hold oil and ethanol’s hair after they’ve partied just a little too hard.

post a Response

Name	Email	Post
Please enter the word you see in the image above

to read: Editor's Picks

• 2010 Lexus RX 450h
• Rolls Royce Debuts Auto Adjusting Purse Rack
• Summer Travel: Activities Keep Kids Involved in Family Road Trips
• Summer Travel: Teens Use High-Tech Tools to Document Family Road Trips