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Energize America — A Democratic Blueprint (3rd Draft)
Devilstower, Meteor Blades and Jerome a Paris; Daily Kos
This is the third draft of a proposed Democratic energy plan. It’s been a month now since Jerome a Paris put together the first draft of a comprehensive Democratic energy strategy, and a couple of weeks since the second draft came courtesy of Meteor Blades. But the real power behind the plan comes from the all the people who have provided critique, support, and suggestions.
If two brains are better than one, then thirty thousand plus brains of DailyKos beat the stuffing out of the handful of heads usually involved in drafting policy. This plan has enjoyed great support here at kos, and the hundreds of comments have brought new ideas, fresh perspectives, more… energy.
… Despite thirty years of wild fluctuations in the marketplace, declining domestic production, and frequent dire predictions from respected scientists and economists that petroleum production was soon to decline worldwide, Congress has made little effort to address the issue. In fact, the recently adopted energy plan only compounds the problems by driving the nation into greater dependency on oil, and specifically, on imported oil. By their own admission, the current plan will leave the nation more dependant on imported oil, and do nothing to address security or environmental issues. Anyone who is serious about national and economic security knows we must be serious about moving our country toward real energy independence. This process cannot be achieved overnight. It will take a generation at least – which is all the more reason we must begin immediately. Our plan will create innovative new jobs and build a cleaner, greener and stronger America.
To Energize America, we support four principles:
* Boost energy diversity to strengthen our national security.
* Replace current energy policies that leave America vulnerable.
* Promote energy efficiency and conservation to protect Americans and the environment.
* Invest in renewable energy to create jobs and enhance America’s technological leadership
(6 November 2005)
Chinese demand – the Dragon is back (AUDIO)
Oilcast #27
In a bumper 22 minute show Oilcast examines the apparent return of Chinese demand growth. Why has it happened? Why is the market ignoring it? What will it do to prices? And why was Chinese demand flat so far this year?
We talk to Deborah White of Societe Generale, Mike Wittner of Calyon and Kevin Norrish of Barclays Capital.
Plus crude prices have dipped, why? ANWR drilling gets the green light and Senator Ron Wyden is in the news again.
(7 November 2005)
Azerbaijan: oil, overflights and democracy
Editorial, Washington Post
THE CAUCASIAN nation of Azerbaijan is holding a parliamentary election today that could provide a turning point for a Muslim country about to come into oil riches, for the strategic and unsettled region around it, and for President Bush’s democracy policy. Its autocratic government has promised a free and fair vote but taken only half steps toward carrying out the pledge. A relatively well-organized opposition coalition promises to refrain from violence but is preparing to launch demonstrations it hopes will lead to a democratic “color” revolution, like those in nearby Georgia and Ukraine. The Bush administration, which sees Azerbaijan as a valuable military ally and important new source of energy, as well as a possible model of democratization, may have some tough choices to make when the results — and any fallout in the streets — come in.
(6 November 2005)
Ishihara says U.S. can’t win war with China, calls U.S forces incompetent
Japan TOday
WASHINGTON — Tokyo Gov Shintaro Ishihara used a speech in the U.S. capital Thursday to convey his views on China, arguing that economic containment is the best strategy because the United States would “certainly” lose a war with China, which he said would not hesitate to sacrifice its people on a massive scale when fighting against an enemy.
“In any case, if tension between the United States and China heightens, if each side pulls the trigger, though it may not be stretched to nuclear weapons, and the wider hostilities expand, I believe America cannot win as it has a civic society that must adhere to the value of respecting lives,” Ishihara said in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies that was primarily focused on China.
The governor, an outspoken politician known for his nationalistic views, also said U.S. ground forces, with the exception of the Marines, are “extremely incompetent.”
“Therefore, we need to consider other means to counter China,” he said. “The step we should be taking against China, I believe, is economic containment.” …
(5 November 2005)
Iran Says Contracts With Russia Could Reach $10Bln
MosNews.com
The chairman of the Iranian parliament’s (Majlis) Energy Committee, Kamal Daneshyar, has said industrial contracts between Iran and Russia could reach $10 billion per year if Moscow participates in various oil projects and more construction of nuclear power plants in Iran, the Tehran Times daily reports.
In a meeting with Yuri Savelyey, head of the Iran-Russia parliamentary friendship group, Daneshyar noted that the ground is currently set for the expansion of all-out ties between the two countries.
“Iran and Russia, as two important energy abundant countries, have great potential for further cooperation and can benefit from the oil and gas markets through encouraging joint ventures between Iranian and Russian oil and gas companies,” he stressed. …
(1 November 2005)
Latest World Energy Outlook from the IEA
BBC
Global greenhouse gas emissions will rise by 52% by 2030, unless the world takes action to reduce energy consumption, a study has warned. The prediction comes from the latest annual World Energy Outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
It says that under current consumption trends, energy demand will also rise by more than 50% over the next 25 years. The IEA adds that oil prices will “substantially” rise unless there is extra investment in oil facilities.
It says the world has seen “years of under-investment” in both oil production and the refinery sector. The organisation estimates that the global oil industry now needs to invest $20.3 trillion (£12 trillion) in fresh facilities by 2030, or else the wider global economy could suffer.
“These projected trends have important implications and lead to a future that is not sustainable,” said IEA chief Claude Mandil. “We must change these outcomes and get the planet onto a sustainable energy path.”
…The IEA says the world has enough oil supplies to last until 2030, and that the core issue is instead the need to improve the supply chain.
(8 November 2005)
Related articles at Reuters, at The Times, at Forbes, as well as on other news outlets. Also see the IEA press release.
High fuel prices hurt life-saving service
Michael Jamison, Missoulian (US)
Kaispell, Montana – When gasoline prices began to rise this year, most folks felt the pinch at the pump, wishing perhaps they’d bought that hatchback instead of the SUV. Not a few responded by carpooling, by combining errands, by simply making fewer trips.
But Larry Peterman doesn’t enjoy the luxury of such options. When Peterman makes a trip, it’s usually a matter of life or death, and he certainly can’t choose not to go.
“You can bet we’re keeping a very close eye on fuel prices,” said Peterman, chief flight nurse for the air ambulance service at Missoula’s St. Patrick Hospital. “It’s been the biggest increase in our budget, clearly.”
(7 November 2005)
