Tel: (845) 626-2627   Home   Contact  
Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Nice try big guy

19 Jun 08 | Commentary

The oil companies are a little concerned these days. Oh, they are not worried that Congress is going to yank the rug out from under them, that is impossible. No, they are more concerned that they may be pricing themselves out of a customer.

As more and more people get fed up with high prices and shift to renewable energy, the oil companies will loose business. Not too much at first, it will take a while for momentum to build, but eventually oil will become the nation’s second choice for energy. This has the various boards of directors concerned, what with all the talk of peak oil production, limited reserves, high demand, limited refineries, one might think that we are running out of oil. As oil companies go, that perception is dangerous and bad for business.

It is no surprise to me that now President Bush proposes removing the ban on off shore drilling all along the US continental shelf. Everyone knows that Mr. Bush is an oil man at heart and it is no shock when he has repeatedly spoken of drilling in ANWR. The off shore drilling is a change, or as the talking heads on the TV say, a “Flip Flop.”

This, according to Mr. Bush and other pro oil analysts, would lower gas prices even if supplies were not immediately increased. Most others say it would make little or no difference, especially in the price of motor fuel. I am more inclined to believe the latter.

What off shore drill will accomplish:

  1. Increase supply of oil on the world wide market enough to barely meet expected demand increase, thus have no effect on current prices. (US DOE study, impacts of increased access…)
  2. Continue the current Oil Economy for a few more years leading to more oil addiction.
  3. Make the large oil companies and their executives very, very wealthy.
  4. Do nothing to mitigate the possible environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.

It is interesting that the US Department of Energy refutes Mr. Bush’s claim of lower gas prices. Perhaps they didn’t get the memo…

We have been addicted to cheap energy for a long, long time. The party is over and now it is time for a little pain. Pain, as it turns out, is good in some cases. It encourages changes in behavior, leads to innovation and advances in technology. It is good that this is happening now, like this, while we still have energy resources to effect change, rather than having the proverbial tank run dry. High oil prices are good for us, we just don’t know it yet.

Update: This article says it much better than I ever could: The misguided message of the addict-and-chief.

Tags:

19 Jun 08 | Commentary
«
»


Leave a Reply