Thursday, August 15, 2013

Are We Sitting on an Energy “Goldmine”?


Oil was once called “black gold”, as fortunes were made every time an oil well was brought on line and produced oil for sale. It was the fuel that helped make the United States the #1 country in the world, economically and politically. That position is now being compromised by the present occupant of the White House, Barack Hussein Obama, who has been listening to the wrong people. Let me explain that indictment.

Since it’s founding as a viable energy source, oil has recently come under disrepute by the “environmental kook fringe” as being that “evil” energy source that is responsible for polluting and harming the planet. Not only has oil come under the scornful eyes of the Al Gore acolytes, but coal and even natural gas (fracking) has been lumped in with oil as a destructive influence on world pollution and climate. All emotional responses, no facts to back them up.

One could argue that at one time, these fossil fuels did contribute toward the increase in polluting and defiling our environment, but with the advent of advanced anti-polluting controls, our environment, today, in the United States, is practically pollution free.

With that being said, and while we await “clean energy” sources (wind, solar, and hydro etc.) becoming more affordable and being able to satisfy our need for enormous amounts of energy, why don’t we explore and tap our vast supply of natural sources of energy (oil, natural gas, and coal) that is sitting beneath our feet in the continental U.S. and off-shore? We could and should become the Saudi Arabia of the whole world if our politicians had the “cajones” to give the O.K. to unleash our exploration companies and give them the signal to go out and explore for more oil, natural gas, and coal. Think of all the jobs and added revenue to the U.S. and state treasuries that that sensible policy decision would provide?

The false narrative put out by the “environmental wacko’s”, that carbon dioxide (Co2) is a death inducing pollutant, just doesn’t hold up to scientific scrutiny. The facts are that carbon dioxide represents only 4 parts in 10,000, the smallest volume of any major atmospheric gas. Plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and in return “exhales” oxygen. Humans inhale that oxygen and breathe out Co2. Carbon dioxide is a natural part of the atmosphere, just like water vapor. It is not a poison and, therefore, it is not a pollutant. In fact, “water vapor” is by far the earth’s most significant greenhouse gas, and without greenhouse gasses, life could not exist.

So, wise up politicians and citizens, don’t let the “doom and gloomers” dictate what we do in extracting or using energy. Our country needs to become the world’s premier energy exporter, and not be an energy importer, we should open up all our energy reserves, with proper anti-pollution controls, so that we can get our financial house in order and begin to give many of our unemployed people a chance to gain meaningful employment. Boom times are right around the corner, if only the energy obstructionists, including President Obama, will all get out of the way and let the free market prevail. It is a win-win situation.

Drill baby, drill!

Conservative commentary by Chuck Lehmann


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1 comment:

Jim Borelli said...

Think of all the revenue that the federal and state governments would receive if we tapped all our natural energy resources? Not only will needed employment increase, but we would become a net exporter instead of an importer of energy. Obama is beholden to the environmental wacko's who are pushing green energy which couldn't produce 90% of our energy needs. See what we got when we elected a Community Organizer instead of a leader to conduct our country's business?