A Dangerous Dependence

While the US has been becoming increasing dependent on domestic supplies for energy, we still import a huge amount of oil. And this dependence on foreign oil is nothing less than a dangerous dependence.

In 2009 it was recorded by the Department of Energy that the US spends almost a billion dollars on foreign oil a day. Much of that cost comes from the transportation. A billion dollars a day is quite a large sum of money to be paying for energy, when instead it could be used for domestic improvement of energy services. While this foreign oil has a huge cost, it is relatively cheap to other options of foreign oil. With the large cost plus the environmental effects and the serious threats of security, many wonder is this foreign oil is worth it.

Our dangerous dependence is in large part dangerous because of the threats to our national or global security. So many violent conflicts have occurred in part because of the oil issues throughout the world. Americans would be surprised that most of our largest suppliers of foreign oil are characterized by the State Departments Warning List as unstable or dangerous countries. Using these countries as major suppliers could have serious implications on our national security.

When the US uses these suppliers they support unfriendly or sometimes dictatorial regimes. It seems kind of backwards to me that the US is internally so against anything of the sort yet they are at the same time exploiting these other countries for America's own gains.

Do you think this is fair for the US to do? Do you find it hypocritical? Do you know of any other times the US has been hypocritical about foreign policy vs national policy?

What do we Know About Oil?

After weeks of long research on my Junior theme I realized something: "Most Americans don't have the slightest idea where their energy comes from" (Scott Bittle). I think there is a huge misconception about where we get our oil from.

Most americans would say we get most of our oil from foreign sources, namely the Middle East. While it is true that we do import from the Middle East, they account for a small portion of our many sources of energy. They provide about 16% of our imported oil, while Canada provides for almost half of our imported oil.

Then why do some many people think the Middle East is our major supplier? I think it is in large part due to the media. As many americans know or think, a large reason we invaded the Middle East was for oil. During the 2000's Middle Eastern oil dominated the news. The constant visual and publicity casted this huge idea that America needed or depended on the Middle East for oil, when in reality we don't "depend" on the middle east.

We are actually becoming less dependent on foreign oil everyday. Since 2007, the US has been increasingly producing its own energy. While many people would be extremely happy about this, it has increased our dependency on fossil fuels, which has its pro's and con's.

Where did you think we got our oil from? Can you think of any other reasons why people might think we are dependent on the Middle East for oil?

Keystone Pipeline Decision Delayed Yet Again

Today the Obama administration delayed the decision on the Keystone pipeline until Nov. 4th, after elections. Recently the Keystone pipeline has been a controversial subject among america's politicians. Many republicans, and a few democrats, have opted for the building of the pipeline but because of large opposition from environmentalists and public opinion the Obama administration have put off the decision.

The Keystone pipeline is a pipeline that runs from Canada all the way to the Gulf Coast. It is already a pipeline, but now there is debate of adding over 2,000 more miles of pipeline. If completed, the pipeline could deliver up to 830,000 barrels of oil a day. This much oil could create a security of energy for america, and because it is fossil fuel energy, it would be cheap as well. Not to mention that the pipeline has the potential of creating thousands of jobs.

But as many environmentalists are arguing, the carbon emissions and impact on the land would be devastating. As Michael McElroy, from the Harvard Journal, put it, "the global climate consequences would be simply unacceptable." If the pipeline was created, evidence shows that carbon emissions into the atmosphere would "sharply accelerate".  Many say even if we are not at the tipping point of destroying the planet, we eventually will be. If we ever do reach that point and we are pumping almost millions of barrels a day, do you think oil corporations will be willing to stop drilling?

Today both america in general and the energy industry is so influenced and focused on money that I don't believe we could ever stop once we start this project. Obama says we need "a finding" or significant piece of evidence to sway the decision one way or the other. At the moment I don't know which way this is going to come out but I wonder if the pipeline guarantees some sort of major problem for America in the future? Do you think the pipeline is worth it? What option do you think is in America's best interest?