“Energy Independence” Is Bunk
One of the things that annoys me is the periodic nonsense about becoming energy independent. This idea that we can “wean ourselves off of oil” is just utter nonsense. The reason for this is that if there were economically viable alternatives to oil as a source of energy that source would be in use today and it would become more and more prevalent. The reality is 180 degrees in the opposite direction. . . .
Can consider this interesting point about Saudi Arabia: they import 83,000 barrels of gasoline a day. A country that sits on top of the largest know oil reserves has to import gasoline. Energy independence is simply not a realistic nor even a smart policy option.
Energy independence is like walling oneself off from trade with others. Sure your neighbor might be able to produce widgets at a lower cost than you can produce widgets and you can produce doodads cheaper than your neighbor can produce doodads, but dammit you wont trade because you might become dependent on your neighbor and he could exercise undue influence on you. Never mind that this is a double edged sword and cuts your neighbor just as much. Dammit you are going to take your lower standard of living and be happy with it because you are an American!
All markets should be global, to my mind. I see little need to pay $100 extra for a television made in the United States when you can get one made in Korea for less. I also see little need to pay more for energy produced in the US when we can get energy from places like Canada or Brazil for cheaper.
And for all the harping about finding “renewable” and “clean” energy, that simply isn’t going to happen until those energy alternatives are a marketable alternative to what we’re using now. That means they have to be as convenient, and as cost-effective otherwise people won’t use them. Unless the government starts making people use them (see: ethanol mandates), but then that isn’t exactly something a free society should want.
Rob
Neiman
goon
Chief RZ
Hairy Polemic
docdave
HG
Bat One
MikeAdamson
