National Energy Plan
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Adam Cappelen
Public Policy Reflection Paper
12-5-03
National Energy Plan
ÐŽ§The balance between energy consumption and the environment have always seemed at odds with one another. Is it possible that the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge could be opened to oil exploration without adverse effects to the environment? I believe it can.ÐŽÐ
What type of National Energy Policy do we have here?
Years of misguided federal and state environmental policies have raised the cost of production, failed to improve our nations aging infrastructure, and dangerously increased Americas dependence on unreliable foreign sources. The result: rising consumer utility bills, rapidly increasing gasoline prices, and rolling blackouts and brownouts.
A fundamental imbalance between supply and demand defines our nationÐŽ¦s energy crisis if energy production increases at the same rate as during the last decade our projected energy needs will far outstrip expected levels of production.
What is the current legislation?
In early 2001, President Bush unveiled his National Energy Policy Report and I feel that was a step in the right direction. It recommends environmentally sound changes to increase domestic supply, improve delivery, reform counterproductive regulations, and encourage energy diversity. Although more should be done to ensure that any new policies adhere to free-market principles, the plan provides a blueprint for reform.
More recently, the Energy Conservation, Research, and Development Act of 2003 passed the House of Representatives 246-180. It goal is to conduct a balanced, long-term research effort in the areas of Buildings, Industry, FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies and Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure. Grants will be offered to develop and transfer various energy conservation technologies to the nonfederal sector.
Some examples of funded projects Grants have been awarded to perform: (1) Research on high performance heat pumps; (2) research on thermally efficient commercial buildings; (3) research in vehicle engines; (4) research on high temperature materials; and (5) research on industrial separation processes.
Congressman Chris Cannon (R-UT) praised House passage of a comprehensive energy plan designed to boost the economy and help secure energy independence. The legislation is estimated to create nearly one million jobs, promote conservation and reduce AmericaÐŽ¦s dependence on foreign oil.
ÐŽ§America deserves a comprehensive energy plan that will help relieve us of our current reliance on foreign sources of energy,ÐŽÐ Cannon said. ÐŽ§Over the last year, Americans have witnessed the largest blackout in our history and skyrocketing natural gas prices. This bill will help ensure cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy for Americans today and also for future generations.ÐŽÐ
ÐŽ§This legislation will not only power our energy security, but it will also add fuel to a recovering economy by creating nearly one million jobs,ÐŽÐ Cannon concluded.
What is the cost of having to rely on O.P.E.C.?
A.) The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has a membership of 11 countries. The members of OPEC currently supply more than 40 per cent of the worlds oil and they possess about 78 per cent of the worlds total proven crude oil reserves.
Our world economy depends upon petroleum; petroleum, in fact, has shaped the modern world. It has dictated production technologies and methods. It has facilitated the emergence of a worldwide transportation network. It has allowed cites to grow and expand, and determined the spatial landscape of regions. Due to our great need for petroleum, the scope of OPECÐŽ¦s power surpasses our prowess as an economic superpower, considering OPEC regulates the output and the price of oil from their reserves.
We as a nation need to step out of the grasp of this ÐŽ§cartelÐŽÐ. We must and we are working to develop new and better technologies with cleaner and more efficient power.
What are our major sources of energy?
Here in America we have an abundance of mineralsÐŽK coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, and timber.
► Natural gas – proved reserves 5.195 trillion cu m (January 2002 est.)
► Oil ÐŽV production – 8.054 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
► Electricity – production by source – fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6%
other: 2.3% (2001) nuclear: 20.7%
What alternative sources are available but under utilized?
I believe that Nuclear Power is the horribly neglected. Some of the pros and the cons of Nuclear Power are as followsÐŽK
єє The issue of global climate change has been widely reported on. Nuclear power plants do not produce carbon dioxide emissions, which are a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and global climate change. In
fact, nuclear energy releases no emissions of any kind. The US Representative to UN Organizations in Vienna, Ambassador John B.