Friday, June 13, 2008

Alternate Energy Not Cheap and Abundant

 

Is Your Family Relying on Cheap, Abundant Energy for Its Security and Comfort?

 

Fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - currently provide more than 85% of all the energy consumed in the United States, nearly two-thirds of our electricity, and virtually all of our transportation fuels.  Moreover, it is likely that the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels to power an expanding economy will actually increase over at least the next two decades even with aggressive development and the deployment of new renewable and nuclear technologies.
                    (Courtesy United States Department of Energy 2008)

 

Because our economic health depends on the continued availability of reliable and affordable fossil fuels, the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy oversees two major fossil fuel efforts:
1.    Emergency stockpiles of crude oil and heating oil.
2.    Research and development of future fossil fuel.
      (Courtesy United States Department of Energy 2008)                         
             
What about the Department of Energy?  Shouldn’t I feel reassured that they are on the job?
The Department of Energy is responsible for maintaining the readiness of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.   In the event of a major supply interruption, the President could order emergency stocks from either of these two reserves to be released into the market.
Now let me ask you a question.  A really serious question.  OK?

You probably watch the news some and know of the opposition of continued pumping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  In fact, on may 13, 2008, the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously to suspend the 70,000 barrel per day shipment. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 had directed the Secretary of the U.S Department of Energy to fill the SPR to its authorized one billion barrels of oil (current capacity of petroleum reservoir is 727million barrels).  Current government sources from the Energy Department say the reservoir contains 281.1 million barrels of Sweet Crude and 423.1 barrels of sour for a total of 704.2 million barrels.  If you do the math, you will conclude that it contains a fifty-eight day supply, although some governmental authorities use new math and come with 160 days.  So guess at two to five months. 
All of those numbers are unlikely.  Here’s why:  If (when) things really turn south and the flow of foreign oil just stops in its tracks, just how much of that Strategic Petroleum Reserve do you think that your family and your neighbor’s families will be able to access?

Really.  Just for a minute, stop and close your eyes and think it through.  The reserve will fuel lots of America for about two to four months (or so) and that means that you are going to be able to fill up the family car and go to work, and shopping, and get the kids from all the places they need to go, and maybe even drive up to check on your Mother and siblings.  For two to four months anyway, right?

Also keep in mind that in the meantime, the American Military is going to need fuel and not just for a few months either.  Is it reasonable and responsible to expect our military to just shut down after a few months and sit?  Not going to happen.  And the American Government.  Are they going to just shut down when they are the ones who actually have their hands on that precious fuel?  Is the American Government going to decide that they need to be fair, because, after all, that fuel really belongs to the American people, who go to work every day and paid to have that petroleum fuel set aside, and they really deserve to have that fuel, even though when it’s gone, it’s gone.  Again, not likely.

So let’s rephrase and ask anew:”how much of that reserve do you think will go to the American working people so that they can fulfill their daily lives, and how much is going to be retained by the American Government so that the American Government can continue to function, carrying out all the responsibilities that they deem so essential?  

 

Please remember that the overwhelming source of electricity in America is petroleum.  So if your source of electricity is hydroelectric, or nuclear, or at least something besides petroleum, then maybe you can bet on your family having energy resources sufficient for their need s a year or two from now. Maybe.
If not, you really should wonder.  Besides the fuel you need for the car, just think of all the things electrical in your house.  The refrigerator and the lights and the thermostat for the heat and the family computer, etc., etc., etc.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting you run out and buy a windmill and a bunch of solar panels, etc.  Not at all.  What I am suggesting is that you start to think about what you might need in the next few years.
Just some long, thoughtful, contemplation.  Your own energy resources are not a bad idea at all.  However, it is not something to buy without sufficient thought and planning. 
For that you need information on what’s available.  I am only suggesting that.  That’s all.  Just information.

 

Perhaps you are one of those thoughtful souls who have been learning about the different approaches to private energy sources for a good while now and you are almost ready to do some specific work on your ideas.  If so, well and good.  If not, it’s time to begin the search for some ideas that you will implement when the time comes.
Please don’t write me and ask who would be a good contractor to set up the energy resources you will need for your family.  I don’t know where you live and don’t know anyone there anyway.
I can, however, refer you to some friends who have good, solid information.  They can give you the information to give serious consideration to.  So that you can make sure that your family has at least the minimal energy resources to get by.   
Of course, if you prefer, just wait and our politicians will be happy to take care of it for you.  Yeah.  Sure.  While you’re at it, think about this: How much longer till the only people who have electricity are the ones who generate it themselves? 
Do you have the information (knowledge) to step up and take charge of your family’s energy future?  If you have it, fine.  If not, check out this button and see.  This is for knowledge only.
http://vastcosmos.offgrid07.hop.clickbank.net/

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