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UNITED NATIONS — Back in the early 1970's after being buffeted by the Arab Oil boycott and then shocked into into reality by shortages, former President Richard Nixon was on the cusp of doing something about America's energy dependence. Speaking about "Project Independence" which would theoretically coincide with the 1976 Bicentennial, the White House strived for less reliance on foreign petroleum sources and pushed for energy independence. This logical path was never followed and today the U.S. is more depdenent than ever on foreign oil supplies.
The ultimate danger from dependence on foreign oil is that the supplies can be constricted, manipulated or or interdicted. What is are talking about is the ultimate life line — or putting it more bluntly a pertroluem jugular vein on which Western economies live. Remember why Kuwait was so vital?
The lure of "cheap foreign oil," has nearly doubled petroleum imports from 6 million barrels a day in 1981 to just over 11 million today. In that same period domestic energy production fell from 10 million b/d to near 8 million b/d.
While Bill Clinton was blessed by the luck of low per barrel oil prices, the reality of supply and demand, ultimately kicked in. Given the use and waste of energy, it was only logical that petroleum producers would ask a higher price, knowing full well that abundant untapped American supplies are in near eco/political checkmate. By the early 1990's foreign oil imports exceeded U.S. production.
Viewing the dangerous dependency, we see the Middle East as only part of the problem. Suppliers such as Venezuela could become risky. Iraqi supplies are saddled by cumbersome U.N. sanctions. Indonesia suffers from serious instability. Saudi Arabia, Russia, the U.S, and Iran remain the world's leading petroleum producers.
While Americans are quick to complain about pump prices for gasoline — and who doesn't, the larger issue comes down to national security — namely the safe and uninterrupted flow of energy for commerce and industry. Commercial truckers have long borne the brunt of high prices for example, but the issue goes deeper. During the worst of the 1973-74 oil crisis, the U.S. was short perhaps five percent of needed supply; yet the psychology of fear and perception of disaster exacerbated the problem
The Bush Energy plan is a long sought after solution which deals not also with production but conservation as well — both of which are necessary.
But as the White House warns, future demand will outstrip supply if no action is taken now. The President's Plan proposes 105 specific recommendations, 42 of which deal with increasing conservation and environmental protection. Significantly the plan looks to 21st century science and technology to tackle the problems which confounded us a generation ago. "Alternative energy options" which were simply not cost effective or possible in the 1970's, are probably quite within range today.
Developing American sources has to do with both affordable energy supplies and with national security. We must develop a comprehensive plan which looks to the reality of need and consumption, and balance it with the constraints of cost, and the conscience of conservation. Likewise realistic alternatives must be explored such as oil from coal.
While naysayers quickly chime in "we tried that" — yes, but in the 1970's. Scientific technology has have jumped exponentially since then.
Likewise we need expanded electric power generation. Population and economic growth in California for example posed a looming challenge which turned into a nightmare. With California's population doubling and the energy demand jumping too, any reasonable person would assume that supplies must correspondingly be upgraded and improved.
Alas, today's critics were too busy going to Clinton Hollywood fund-raisers as to notice the looming "real life" drama in the making — nobody was improving the power grid! Complacency replaced common sense. Plant construction was stopped.
Providing clean, affordable, and plentiful energy supplies presents a challenge for a country which has become accustomed to waste. Yet, the alternative to the fear of rolling blackouts, shortages, and perpetual power crisis is a focused and realistic plan which will address the problem, offer solutions, and surmount the crisis. The Bush team has taken the first step in moving America towards "energy independence."
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
