Reality makes oilsands hot Editorial Comment Ottawa Sun
There's even an equation for it.
Oilsands + eco-hyperbole = tarsands / (Mideast crisis + Venezuelan whackjob) - other options = Alberta oil.
While we admit this equation is rather crude, so is the end product the U.S. so drastically needs, even as it tries to reduce its dependence on oil imports as the Middle East and northern Africa goes through its various revolutions, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continues to play Crazy 8s with a euchre deck.
Increasingly high prices for gas at the pumps -- which is still less than in Canada, thanks to our tax-on-tax fuel gouge -- naturally has Americans demanding action from their president.
And so where has Obama turned?
Well, he turned south to Mexico, it's No. 2 supplier, and then he turned north to Canada, its No. 1 supplier -- all to lessen his need to export oil from such venues Saudi Arabia, No. 3, Venezuela, No. 5 and Iraq, No. 8.
And all this is happening while these less politically-desirable oil producers look over their shoulder to the burgeoning Asian market.
So suddenly, at least in the eyes of Obama, the oilsands no longer look quite as "dirty" as they did when oil prices were lower and the Arab world was being nicely run by despots.
Remember the equation? The "other" options?
Only 8% of all energy consumed in the U.S. is what the eco-people would cite as "renewable," the majority of it being hydro, wood, and biofuels.
Only 1% of that 8% is solar, and 9% of that 8% is wind --both demonstratively unaffordable until technology catches up to pipe dreams.
In fact, 92% of the United States' total annual energy consumption -- as in 94.6 quadrillion Btu in 2009 -- is from what the eco-folk would call non-friendly sources. Oil (37%), natural gas (25%), and coal (21%).
Even the bogeyman of the moment, nuclear power, provides only 9% of the U.S.'s total energy requirement.
So "dirty oil" is suddenly OK.
Welcome to reality.
There's even an equation for it.
Oilsands + eco-hyperbole = tarsands / (Mideast crisis + Venezuelan whackjob) - other options = Alberta oil.
While we admit this equation is rather crude, so is the end product the U.S. so drastically needs, even as it tries to reduce its dependence on oil imports as the Middle East and northern Africa goes through its various revolutions, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continues to play Crazy 8s with a euchre deck.
Increasingly high prices for gas at the pumps -- which is still less than in Canada, thanks to our tax-on-tax fuel gouge -- naturally has Americans demanding action from their president.
And so where has Obama turned?
Well, he turned south to Mexico, it's No. 2 supplier, and then he turned north to Canada, its No. 1 supplier -- all to lessen his need to export oil from such venues Saudi Arabia, No. 3, Venezuela, No. 5 and Iraq, No. 8.
And all this is happening while these less politically-desirable oil producers look over their shoulder to the burgeoning Asian market.
So suddenly, at least in the eyes of Obama, the oilsands no longer look quite as "dirty" as they did when oil prices were lower and the Arab world was being nicely run by despots.
Remember the equation? The "other" options?
Only 8% of all energy consumed in the U.S. is what the eco-people would cite as "renewable," the majority of it being hydro, wood, and biofuels.
Only 1% of that 8% is solar, and 9% of that 8% is wind --both demonstratively unaffordable until technology catches up to pipe dreams.
In fact, 92% of the United States' total annual energy consumption -- as in 94.6 quadrillion Btu in 2009 -- is from what the eco-folk would call non-friendly sources. Oil (37%), natural gas (25%), and coal (21%).
Even the bogeyman of the moment, nuclear power, provides only 9% of the U.S.'s total energy requirement.
So "dirty oil" is suddenly OK.
Welcome to reality.
Dirty oil is ok,
ReplyDeleteand the LPC just proposed a Cap and Tax which amounts to the redistribution of $30 Billion PER YEAR,within 8 years.
yes PER YEAR, $30 BILLION out of industry,
into yet-to-be-decided programs.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/the-economists/liberals-significant-climate-plan-cloaked-in-silence/article1968885/
You can't live in a cold country and not have energy. When the Americans start having rolling blackouts-brownouts everyday and when the pump price of gasoline/diesel is at $5/gallon, then the oil/gas from Alberta/Saskatchewan will look very affordable and ethical. The blue-eyed sheiks of AB will be happy to sell same at the maximum price. Or the Americans can get their energy fix from Brazil. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteAs an additional snark, somehow I don't think Al Gore, or the Kennedys will go without heat, transportation or light. Pehaps they will fling open the gates to their massive estates and compounds and give the little people a place to huddle. Sassafras!!!
ReplyDelete