“Why are we seeing such a resistance to production of oil and gas? I believe Secretary Chu may have let the cat out of the bag when he said they really want to eliminate oil and gas as an energy source, and the price is not important to them… What that means is, we can see higher and higher prices, and the average consumers in Alabama and all over the country will pay more. They will pay the price for this social engineering strategy that we’re seeing in this administration. It is just plain as day.”

NOTE: To view Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s comments admitting that the Administration’s goal is not to lower the price of gasoline, please click here.

One of the biggest drains on the American economy is, undoubtedly the importation of energy.  In the early 1970′s the United States was the world’s largest producer of Oil and Natural Gas.  If we still remain near the top of the world’s list of producers – #3 according to the CIA Fact Book - how is this a problem?  The problem is that we are the world’s #1 Importer of oil at 10.27 Million BBL/Day – which is 4.541 Million barrels per day higher than China, who stands as the #2 importer.

What about natural gas?  Surely we recover the losses, right?  Not so fast.  The US is still the world’s #1 producer of Natural gas.  But here’s he problem –  we are also the worlds #1 consumer AND importer of Natural Gas.  Once again, we are in an upside-down scenario in regards to energy.

US Oil Production, by year

How can a country, much less an economy, expect to sustain stability, strength or longevity with such a huge disparity when it comes to such a valuable and important commodity?

.

WHERE GOVERNMENT FAILED

It is my firm belief that our current economic tensions with the Middle East and OPEC began with the “oil policy” of President Jimmy Carter when he signed Presidential Directive 63 on January 15th, 1981.  PD63 stated that the US will protect its interests in the Middle East “by any means necessary, including military force.”

Also under the Carter Administration, the US Department Of Energy was created (in 1977).  Since then, Congress has passed a swath of energy-focused legislation that was supposed to make our nation more energy efficient, independent, and strong.  A very small sampling of legislation are as follows:

• 1978 – Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act – Restricted new power plants using oil or natural gas. Repealed in 1987.
• 1978 – Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act – Opened electric markets to alternate power producers
• 1978 – Energy Tax Act – Taxed gas-guzzlers, gave income tax credits for alternate fuel use
• 1980 – Geothermal Energy Act – Created Synthetic Fuels Corporation to market fossil fuel alternatives
• 1980 – Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act – Provided loan guarantees for biomass and alcohol fuels projects
• 1992 – Energy Policy Act – Required alternative fuel vehicle use in some private/government fleets
• 2005 – Energy Policy Act – Provided tax incentives for conservation and use of alternative fuels
• 2007 – America COMPETES Act  - Increased fuel economy requirements, phased out incandescent light bulbs, encouraged biofuel development
• 2009 – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – Renewable energy tax cuts

Furthermore, the federal government has spent Billions of dollars – if not Trillions – over the last three decades fighting wars in the Middle East to “protect our interests” in their oil.  Imagine the infrastructure that could have been built in America for alternative fuels, solar energy, hydroelectric power, bio-fuels, and more.  Perhaps American energy independence wouldn’t be a mere policy and plan – but instead a reality.

As time progresses, it is becoming more and more apparent that Congress continues to extend the present energy crisis (yes, crisis) in this country.  In doing so, they are also expanding our National Debt with the growing protection of and importation of foreign fuel sources.  Let’s not forget how much influence has been bought with money from the oil industry.  Oil & gas companies have donated huge sums of money to politicians to maintain the energy status quo:

oil and gas companies have donated $238.7 million to candidates and parties since the 1990 election cycle

.

The question still remains: How Do We Solve This Problem?

.

THE SOLUTION – Look South

The answer to many problems is often right under your nose – American Energy is no different.  We must look South to Brazil.  The Brazilian model for energy independence is showing gigantic signs of success.  Brazil is producing more energy than it consumes, and, according to one Brazilian energy mogul, 48% of Brazil’s current energy comes from renewable sources.

The following charts show clear evidence that the Brazilian model is working:

Click for larger view

WHAT SHOULD THE US GOVERNMENT DO?

The first step in reversing our current failed energy policy is to eliminate and remove ALL subsidies for corn-based ethanol production.  The use of corn-based ethanol has an effect on food prices, not just in the US, but globally.  Corn is a valuable commodity as a food product, and should remain a staple in that regard.

One suitable alternative to corn is sugarcane – as Brazil is showing – but there are many more options available including bagasse, miscanthus, sugar beet, sorghum, grain, switchgrass, barley, hemp, kenaf, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, sunflower, fruit, molasses, corn, stover, grain, wheat, straw, cotton, and more.  Surely with the variety of crops from which ethanol can be derived, corn can be replaced, subsidies eliminated or reduced, and the United States can begin to produce vast amounts of Ethanol to ease our dependence on foreign oil.

Even another alternative to crop-based ethanol is Algae.  It is being shown that Algae can produce ethanol with a greater yield and efficiency over corn and even sugar cane:

Algae produces more Ethanol per acre than Corn or Sugar Cane

Algenol’s process is very different in that the algae are not cultivated. Instead, algae produce ethanol in gas form that is siphoned off from the bioreactor tubes and condensed to a liquid, Woods explained.

He claimed that the system can produce 6,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year, far more than corn’s rate of 370 gallons per acre per year or sugar cane’s at 890 gallons per acre per year.

The Mexican site is located a few miles away from a power generation station. By pumping carbon dioxide from the station into the algae bioreactors, the saltwater algae farm can boost production to 10,000 gallons of ethanol per acre per year, he said.

Exploring these alternatives are the first step in eliminating our dependence on oil imports.  The second step is domestic Oil Production.  Yes, that old saying “Drill, baby drill!” is coming back.  The United States has 20.68 BILLION barrels of proven oil reserves.  We also have 7.716 Trillion Cubic Meters of Natural Gas reserves under our boots.

With our proven energy reserves, and the massive potential for ethanol, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources – what logical reason is there for the US to NOT be energy independent by 2020?  Diversifying our energy sources is not only good for National Security, it is sound economics and it will create JOBS for Americans.  Couple this energy policy with real, logical tax reform (I personally support The Fair Tax), and the United States would lure back manufacturing and other sectors in massive droves.  This would lead to the USA becoming the economic hub of the world once again.

Bottom line:  A sound policy geared towards Energy Independence will affect the entire US Economy.  A strong economy makes a strong country.  So in 2012, let’s elect members of Congress who will seriously approach US Energy Policy.  Vote for prosperity, not party.

___