Natural Gas: The Push and the Propaganda

We have all heard T. Boone Pickens push for the use of natural gas as the future automobile fuel in his recent series of television ads.  Now, Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., is taking out full page ads in USA Today promoting natural gas as the future fuel for autos.  Lets examine some of the statements in the ad:

 

Statement:  Demanding this EPA certified alternative fuel is an act of patriotism in a time of economic crisis.

My reply:  It would be a lot more patriotic if the oil and gas companies were drilling and producing on the millions of acres they already own or lease and have been sitting on for many, many years, instead of asking the U.S. to open up new lands for them to drill on.  

Statement:  A new landmark study shows North American natural gas supply far exceeds industry forecasts.  Given 22 U.S. gas rich shale basins and 21st century technologies, long-term abundance is assured.

My reply:  Despite the long term abundance of natural gas and the fact that supply far exceeds industry forecasts, the price of natural gas has increased as much as the price of oil and gasoline.  Remember, it is the energy industry that tells us supply and demand controls the price, so why is the price of natural gas so high when there is abundance instead of shortages?  The answer is energy monopoly; the energy companies want to have the country addicted to natural gas as fuel for autos to continue their monopoly and rising prices.  The American people are now paying a fuel adjustment charge on their energy bills which is more than the charge for the energy used --- so much for abundance. 

 

The bottom line is T. Boone Pickens and Aubrey McClendon want to keep America addicted to oil and natural gas for their own financial gain.  The greening of America, when it comes to fuel for automobiles, has to be other than gasoline or natural gas if we truly want to break the status quo, and the energy industry has to be kept away from monopolizing any fuel.

You Read It Here First --- Obama's Energy Plan

Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president, spoke in Michigan on August 4 and outlined what his and America's energy policy would be if he is elected president.  Much of what he said was outlined here first on Politidose in posts dated May 5, July 4, and July 31.

 

Renewable energy instead of our dependence on oil and gas; fuel efficient automobiles, and etc.  The greening of America would produce new industries, create new jobs that pay well and reverse the environmental problems that are piling up on us today.  A $1000 energy rebate to the people to help with rising fuel costs.  Tax credit of $7000 to purchase fuel efficient automobiles and etc.  All of that has already been written about here.  

 

Senator Obama rightly threw down the gauntlet.  America has to change its energy policy and its use of energy as we know it and start now.  The country can not wait any longer; time is running out and action is needed.  To erase any doubts that America can accomplish these goals, Obama reminded the people of President Kennedy's pledge to put an American on the moon when the doubters asked, "How can we do that?".

 

Obama's comprehensive energy plan is a positive and bold step towards the greening of America.  The people should embrace his sensible and practical approach to our energy problems. I would suggest that people read his entire speech on the subject.

Energy Crisis: People Power For Change

The American people can not wait on elected officials or corporate America to bring about change in using fossil fuels.  The exorbitant increase in oil and gasoline has been going on too long while the President, government officials, and corporate America only give excuses.

 

We the people need to change and make the sacrifice ourselves in order to start the process of greening America by drastically reducing our dependence on oil and gasoline.  At the same time, we have to demand our government start to act now.

 

In a report out of the Times Picayune, the largest newspaper in Louisiana, dated July 29, 2008, an AAA survey of people in Louisiana show that 77% of drivers made significant changes in their driving habits.  Here is how they accomplished that:  (1)  Moved closer to work.  (2) Carpooling. (3)  Using Public Transportation.  (4) Biking or walking.  (5)  Buying a more fuel efficient vehicle.  (6) Taking fewer or shorter leisure trips.

 

Taking matters in our own hands will be a sacrifice worthwhile even though it will some times be hard and difficult.  The alternative is much worse, harder, more costly, and we should understand all that having lived with the problem.

 

Those who advocate more drilling are supporting the status quo and falsehoods.  The Big Oil companies have enough acreage in the U.S. that they have yet to drill on.  They are not working that acreage because there is really no shortage of oil or gasoline.  If there were, they would be drilling up a storm on this acreage at the record prices of the last 2 years.

 

We the people should impose on ourselves 60mph speed limit on the interstate system.  Let the saved gasoline sit in the refineries until the oil companies get the message.  The inconvenience of truth has already arrived.  Shame on us if we ourselves pass up the opportunity to do some thing about it and make a better world for our children and grandchildren. 

 

Remember when V.P. Dick Cheney met with representatives of the energy industry after Bush came into office?  The results of that meeting, what they discussed, and the decisions that were made are still secret today and the public is still in the dark.  If that is not enough to make the people face realty, what will?

 

President Carter took bold action and leadership during the Arab Oil Embargo that actually reduced consumption.  Reagan reversed all that after he took office.  Its time for the people to act on their own, because if one thing is for sure, we can no longer sit around and wait for the government to. 

The Height of Hypocrisy: T. Boone Pickens

T. Boone Pickens, Texas oil man, conservative, founder of Mesa Petroleum, and who now heads the Dallas-based hedge fund, BP Capital Management LP, now says that U.S. dependency on foreign oil has reached an economic crisis point as the U.S. is dependent on foreign nations for 70% of its oil.

 

What Mr. Pickens failed to say is that American oil companies have been drilling and producing oil outside the U.S. for over 30 years at the same time they hold millions of acres they own or lease the drilling rights to in the U.S. and have left those acres idle.  Many could have been drilling for years but choose to go overseas instead.

 

It is a fact that many oil companies are in bed with foreign oil producers and now the Bush administration wants to put them in bed with Iraq and Iraqi oil.  Less any one forget Iraq is the same country that over 4000 Americans have lost their lives in an unnecessary war over WMD that did not exist.

 

The Associated Press recently reported Mr. Pickens plans to build the largest wind farm in Texas that would generate enough power to supply 20% of the nations electricity needs and wants the new President and Congress to act on this within the first 100 days.  One can wonder if Mr. Pickens will be in Washington to seek corporate welfare for this project.

 

What the next President and Congress should do is make sure the energy industry does not, in any way, hold a monopoly over the public in the Greening of America.  The U.S. can not afford to go green and then have the same problem we have today with Big Oil because of greed and control.  All of a sudden, Mr. Pickens has come to realize our country has an oil and gas problem and wants the country to reduce its dangerous dependency on foreign oil.  At about the same time, he wants to build a Wind Farm.  It seems strange that Mr. Pickens, an astute business man for over 30 years, just got educated on our energy problems.  I wonder what caused the turn around on his thinking all of a sudden?

 

Here's the facts: Mr. Pickens is a billionaire and contributed $250,000.00 to Bush 43's second inauguration.  Financial World named him CEO of the Decade in 1989.  Mr. Pickens tried to acquire several companies via the takeover route in the 1980s and made millions by buying and then selling those stocks.  They also reported he contributed $3 million to Swift Vets and POW's for Truth, the organization that Swift Boated Senator Kerry during the 2004 Presidential election concerning his military service.  Mr. Pickens was of prime age during the Korean War, but there is no mention in his Bio of serving in the military.  I have mentioned on more that one occasion I have no problem with people that have not served in the military, but there are those who have not served yet who attack those veterans that have served their country.  

 

Oil companies and their CEO's will do their best to power grab the Greening of America and retain control over energy supplies to continue their monopoly.  The next President and Congress need to make it a top priority to see that does not happen.

The Next President's Greatest Domestic Challenge

The challenges facing the next President are many and severe.  The most important domestic issue for the President should be "The Greening of America."  That includes the environment, much less dependence on oil and gas, alternate fuels, conservation and technology to reduce the cost of living, and establishing a better quality of life for the people.  Those goals are reasonable and reachable if a determined start is made by the next President and made a priority. 

 

New industries and services will be created and needed to make America Green.  Those jobs that are created will replace jobs lost do to attrition and other causes.  There will be jobs that are sustainable because the Greening of America is no easy or short term undertaking.  Indeed, our lack of attention to the problem for so many years will not let this be a short lived industry.

 

A Greening economy will mean so much more to the average person then our standard economy.  In essence we will all be working to not only save our environment, but contribute to a way of life that we and our children have not seen before.  Can one image what eliminating the trash dumps across America by planned recycling will do?  And that is only one part of the Greening of America.

 

A Greener America is a cleaner environment for ourselves and our children and the future.  Less sickness, a cleaner work place with less injury, and a enjoyable atmosphere to live and play.  It will never be utopia, but it will be far better than we can ever imagine. 

 

Is this just a dream or wishful thinking?  The technology is there and at our fingertips, so it is not just a dream, but a reality.  No one ever thought we could put a man on the moon, but President Kennedy had the dream and showed the courage for our nation to venture into space.  He made it happen.  The next President can make the Greening of America happen also.  Dreams are what our country and its people are made of.  Lets go Green, America!