Energy Policy Proposal
1.0 Government hinders real development of energy technologies
Well intentioned, but misguided attempts by government to regulate the energy industry into new technologies are inappropriate. We need real solutions, which are sustainable on their own merits. By definition, plans and programs that begin with subsidies can not be sustainable. Without the motive of self sufficient, sustained profits; companies will be unwilling to pursue new technologies. Ethanol for example, is only economically viable when the business case for it includes a subsidy. Without the subsidy, it would not be profitable and no one would produce it. Wasting time on efforts like this distracts us from working on permanent solutions for the future, while we look for the temporary fix. Government is not an expert on producing energy. Let’s leave this to the pros.
2.0 Government Regulation drives up costs and hurts the consumers
The auto industry has been ordered to raise their fleet average fuel economy to 35mpg by 2012. As always, the automakers will spend millions and millions of dollars to develop one or two light, super thrifty models that raise their overall fuel economy to the required levels. These won’t be their best sellers. Trucks and SUV’s are built because people want them. It is a fallacy to argue that people buy them because the evil automakers foist them on us. All manufacturers have had economy models available for decades. Fuel efficient diesel cars are available from some manufacturers. We don’t buy them. The effect of the government regulation is to drive up the cost of the models we do buy. The manufacturers have to recoup the investment they made in the super-efficient models they produce… which we don’t buy.
3.0 Government should lead by example
The US Military has consistently been the largest consumer of oil in the world. Rather than order us to trade in our SUV’s for mopeds, government more appropriately should do what it can to reduce its consumption levels.
· In 2006, the Department of Defense spent $20 billion on energy consumption.
· 25% of that went to facilities and buildings.
· A $10 per barrel increase in oil prices translates to another $1.3 billion in costs.
3.1 Navy
The Navy has almost 300 combat and support ships. 80 are nuclear powered. When clean, non-polluting nuclear propulsion is available, why power our Navy with foreign oil? We should begin a program of retrofitting our entire Navy with nuclear power.
3.2 All other branches
We have bases powered by electricity, much of which is produced by oil plants and generators. Set a goal to make all military bases energy self-sufficient utilizing solar, wind, and hydro where feasible. In addition to the energy savings, this increases the security of our bases. Think of the fuel savings in colder climates where clean, efficient electric heat provided by solar panels is used instead of furnaces.
4.0 How Government can really help
It is in the interest of our national security and defense capability to make our military as self sufficient as possible.
It is in my wallet’s interest for the government to find ways to cut costs. They currently have no motivation to use less oil. They can order the public to use less via auto industry regulation, and over thirty years ago, rationing.
Ordering the military to pursue a program of energy self sufficiency is the appropriate way for government to stimulate growth in alternative energy markets. The increased market for these products will bring costs down as mass production begins, hopefully here in the
Jobs will be created as market demand for these products increases.
Reducing demand on oil sources will bring down oil prices.
While retrofitting ships and bases will be expensive, it sunsets at least 35% of the military’s fuel costs for good.
Alternative energy resources will be developed as a result of market demand, not artificial conditions and subsidies.
5.0 What, exactly, do we do?
Cease purchasing oil for our reserves for a period of two years, and leave all oil purchase funding at its current level.
This, and increased saving as our oil needs decrease will fund this plan. A side benefit should be a dip in oil prices resulting from this decrease in demand. Much like buying a home, instead of “renting” power (buying oil), we’ll become “homeowners” as we convert our bases to free power sources. Every dollar spent on this decreases our future financial burden.
Make military bases energy independent with free, geothermal, or nuclear power.
Establish a schedule to begin retrofitting all military bases and buildings to use wind and solar power. Start with ones using petroleum produced heat and electricity. If compelling reasons are found that make those two choices not feasible, convert the base to geothermal or nuclear. The burden of proof will be on the objecting party to prove why using wind or solar is not possible.
As base facilities become energy independent, sunset “on base” petroleum vehicles.
There are runabouts, MP patrol vehicles, forklifts, and other vehicles that never leave the base. As military bases begin producing all their own electricity from free or nuclear sources, phase out all “on base only” petroleum vehicles. They should be rechargeable electric.
Immediately sunset all gasoline powered government vehicles.
There is no need for them. Heavy trucks and equipment need diesel. Light vehicles should be a mix of Propane, CNG, and diesel. The decision as to which to use will depend on climate and availability. The federal government should not use any gasoline powered cars. This one provision goes beyond the military… yes the president will have to use a diesel or CNG powered limo. Lead by example.
Immediately prohibit the construction of new government owned power producing facilities that are not hydro, solar, wind, nuclear or geothermal.
If any are planned, order them to cease and desist. We need to end our dependence on oil now.
Convert all Navy submarines, warships, and heavy support vessels to nuclear power.
Evaluate progress after two years to determine if we need to begin adding to the oil reserves again.
6.0 More benefits
Removing 145 diesel powered ships from the ocean will reduce pollution.
Removing thousands of government owned gasoline powered cars will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Eliminating demand for petroleum produced electricity reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Making bases energy-self sufficient removes a serious security gap we currently have. We still have bases powered by coal. An attack on the train tracks that bring that coal would compromise the base.
Dormant shipyards will go back to work.
As the demand for wind power generators and solar panels increases to facilitate this plan, jobs will be created to produce them, and their cost will come down as mass production begins. This will make solar panels affordable for the average American.
Reduced oil demand will reduce the price of oil.
Funding levels for this plan will increase as the military’s oil needs are reduced, without having to raise taxes.
