Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
An overview of US and international energy policy, including the prospects for an economy based on renewable energy, the security problems likely to result from tightening oil supplies, and a possible basis for making the transition to alternatives.
The current world energy situation poses a national threat unparalleled in 225 years… Concurrent with rising demand [for oil] are indications that world production may soon peak, followed by permanent decline and shortage. Moreover, most of the remaining oil is concentrated in distant, politically hostile locations, inviting interdiction by enemies.
We want to alert you to a 3,000 word article, The End of Oil, by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Robert B. Semple, Jr. of the New Times Editorial
Board.
When President Bush declared in his 2006 State of the Union address that America must cure its “addiction to oil,” he framed his case largely in terms of national security… He failed to mention two other good reasons to sober up. One is global warming… The second reason is just as unsettling, and is only starting to get the attention it deserves. The Age of Oil — 100-plus years of astonishing economic growth made possible by cheap, abundant oil — could be ending without our really being aware of it.
On the Op-Ed page of today’s New York Times is a large ad-ed placed by ExxonMobil. Titled “Peak Oil? Contrary to the theory, oil production shows no sign of a peak,” the piece blows smoke at the growing consensus among serious petroleum geologists that production of the cheap oil on which all modern economies are based is fast approaching the day when it stops growing to match demand, levels off for a while, and then inexorably falls….The facts suggest otherwise [than Exxon’s ad].
Peter Tertzakian’s “1000 Barrels Per Second” (interview) /
‘Peak oil’ perplexities test the nerves of major oil companies /
NY Times Op Ed: The End of Oil
The NYT editorial board is on record that peak oil is “almost certainly correct”… So, our respectability just went up about six notches…
Europe is currently undergoing a massive upheaval in the energy sector – a complete reorgansation tirggered by a round of mergers and acquisitions. This is all part of the ongoing worries about future energy security and policies, and it’s quite enlightening.
There may come a time when geologically driven oil shortages dry up liquidity in the oil markets and when politically driven resource competition creates shortages.
As Peak Oil begins to surface in common discourse, we will encounter more “experts” who will offer dubious solutions that may profit them in the short run yet make us all poorer.
The governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, says he can turn the billions of tons of coal under his state into enough diesel fuel to greatly reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Schweitzer speaks to 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl this Sunday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
Environmentalist David Orr on peak oil, climate change and our response to them /
Heinberg and experts debate fall in oil production /
Beyond Peak Oil scenario competition /
Matt Simmons speech /
Author William Clark speaks on Washington-Teheran tensions
