Meeting the energy challenge

By Al Portner

America must be energy independent of countries whose people don’t like us very much. This requires development and adoption of technologies that minimize some older energy models and re-examine discarded ones. Energy self reliance is a primary national goal.

Strategically, it makes no sense to risk allowing potential adversaries the ability to turn off the spigot that runs our defense machinery. Economically, every dollar spent in the United States circulates seven times. Energy dollars spent overseas are gone once they leave our shores. A negative balance of payments must, over time, inevitably lead to a U.S. default. From an employment standpoint, energy self reliance will be a primary engine for job growth. And environmentally, most scientists agree carbon emissions negatively alter the global climate.

Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens is leading the charge for energy independence with his well advertised “Pickens’ Plan.” He proposes that wind power and natural gas replace many uses of oil for energy. If successful, Pickens’ initiative will yield him a tidy profit.

“The Pickens’ Plan” requires a significant investment in energy infrastructure to move wind power from where it is generated to where it is needed. The time required for the “Pickens’ Plan” to show significant benefits is eight to ten years. Boone Pickens will be approaching 90 years old. His profits aside, Boone is a patriot promoting a bold idea.

A number of additional potential technologies will contribute to America’s future energy independence. These include geothermal heat, nuclear power, ocean wave-action, bio-fuels, and hydrogen fuel cells. Is it possible to harness the power of coal in a way that doesn’t pollute the environment? Who knows what research can achieve when research into cleaner, local, more cost-effective alternatives becomes a primary national goal?

Can existing technologies become more efficient? Why do vehicles made by U.S. manufacturers overseas achieve several times the mileage of similar cars sold here?

The discussion is not new. Gas lines in 1972 and 1973 forced us to drive smaller cars for a few years. Too bad the short memories of many allowed a return to wasteful ways as prices declined and supplies became plentiful. Today, last summer’s $4.00 a gallon gas prices have declined again. In the 1970’s our big concerns were price and supply. Today, the stakes are ever so much higher.

In 2000, H. Ross Perot suggested a 50 cent increase in gasoline taxes as a means to pay off the deficit when he ran unsuccessfully for President. The idea was very unpopular.
Perhaps Perot’s proposal was too timid. An increase in the gasoline tax could be used to build mass transit, encourage vehicles that get better mileage, or even redirect some industry away from the most populated centers both relieving problems of infrastructure congestion and encouraging community rebirth. Like the international negotiators say, no option should be off the table.

Your thoughts on this and previous postings are always welcome.

------
Comments from the Inaugural posting of Assignment Desk Notes were very positive and helpful. Commenters were initially concerned with the Financial and Healthcare systems. Columns that open these areas, the media, communication, and others for discussion will be posted shortly. Let the conversation continue. It is hoped readership and contributions will continue to grow. Yesterday's massive turnout and tremendous good will shown on the National Mall by over 2 million eyewitnesses was heartwarming despite the cold day in Washington.

The Assignment Desk, L.L.C. wishes the new President nothing but the best.
-------

Al Portner is a former daily newspaper editor and publisher who has operated newspapers in seven states from Maryland on the east to Hawaii on the west. He is currently the proprietor of The Assignment Desk, LLC, an editorial services consortium with over 200 affiliate writers, photographers, and designers.

Portner is also the author of hundreds of articles and the forthcoming non-fiction book “Mark Twain and the Tale of Grant’s Memoir.” He can be reached at alanportner@theassignmentdesk.net. The Assignment Desk URL address is www.theassignmentdesk.net.