Do you really want independence?

In 1969, America’s oil production alone was enough to meet our demands, but increasing reliance on foreign imports means we now ship in 18 million barrels a day to go with the almost 10 million barrels produced domestically.
The U.S. demand for fuel and electricity is growing and simply pumping more oil is not the answer. Nor is simply putting solar panels on houses and erecting wind turbines.
So what will it take for America to become energy independent? That answer is straightforward.
By loosening the handcuffs and providing financial incentives, the federal government should encourage companies to drill for more oil in the United States, to build more nuclear power plants, to create more electric vehicles, and to develop more wind and solar power options.
OK then, end of debate, end of blog entry, turn out the lights, see you next week, everyone goes home happy... but...wait. Unfortunately, that is not the end of the debate.
Because while both sides in Washington want energy independence, only some WANT energy independence.These people are willing to accept a minimal risk of an oil spill if it means billions of dollars aren’t sent to countries (or Blue States) that hate America. And they are willing to have innovative entrepreneurs strike it rich with fledgling alternative power companies if it contributes to such independence.
And, yes, automakers and oil companies with their millions of employees and their dependants could make large fortunes.
Now, others want energy independence, but what they really WANT is to make sure evil corporations (booo, hissss, Remember Lehman Brothers! cue menacing music) don’t make “too much” money and nuclear power becomes as extinct as the dodo.
They want elderly grandmothers not to go broke paying for heat during a Vermont winter. But they WANT a 100-percent guarantee of pristine Alaskan wilderness that the average person can’t afford to visit.
And most of all they WANT the federal government as overlord (Hoorah for the savior!!!).
And, as such, they are willing to allow stalemates in Congress or allow bills to pass that only affect small aspects of this vast problem.
First, domestic oil production. As supply rises, demand falls and thus so do prices as companies try to get their goods off the shelves (or out of oil tanks). Sooooo, get more supply.
Those who WANT energy independence see that, those who want energy independence say the oil companies (boo) will just keep the gas prices high regardless of how much more is pumped. But oil prices began dropping this summer as soon as President Bush started calling for more offshore drilling and it kept falling as Republicans in Congress took up the call. If prices plummet just by talking about getting more, think about what will happen once the oil starts actually flowing.
As for nuclear energy, space for this blog entry is short, so let me just point out the French get 80 percent of their electricity from nuclear power and they don’t seem to be glowing in the dark.
Now, conservatives have been lukewarm when it comes to wind and solar energy. Part of it is they are caught up in the “if one side is for something then the other must naturally be against it” that pervades Washington. But the other problem is these alternatives are talked about on Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill as the only alternatives.
And both those situations simply need to change.
Augment all this with clean-air burning coal and realistic expectations for conservation and the country will not only be energy independent but also have millions of more jobs created.But, unfortunately corporations (more boos, more hisses, Enron!!) could make “too much” money and have “too much” control. And that’s a chance some don’t WANT to take.