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ENERGY- A SOURCE OF PRIDE, NOT GUILT
Californians are on a very steep learning curve and civic maturing process as they are forced to come face to face with their environmental philosophy. This philosophy disdains the production parts of commerce and industries. Another lesson on this learning curve is the need to thoroughly reflect upon and consider the possible ramifications of actions and changes in regulation and deregulation. Did those involved in making the deregulation decision not understand what a free market could do? Did they think that supply and demand applied to places elsewhere? These questions are so baffling. In a state where you can't breath without considering impacts, was there no one within the decision making group that had enough strategic planning insight to layout all the possibilities, all the scenarios good and bad? While it might feel good to take pleasure in California's misfortune, such emotional indulgence does little to increase understanding and help avoid such situations in the future. New York is in about the same shape energy wise as California and for similar reasons. While New York is trying to bring power plants on line rapidly, the summer looms large and brown with consumer demands. Rising gasoline prices are affecting all sectors of our commercial-industrial base, and the American family's quality of life. Insufficient refining capacity under lies this problem. Again, environmental agendas across the country that have effectively served to halt construction of new refining facilities have built a wall between consumers and suppliers. This wall of environmental protectionism has eliminated the suppliers' flexibility so needed in order to respond to consumer demands and new regulations that differ from market to market. We should not, however, totally ignore the sad possibility that greed may be playing a role in gas prices set for some markets. We'll all have to await the results of the investigation that President Bush has agreed to in this regard. There are many familiar pluses to the development of more energy sources and delivery systems. Less dependence on foreign sources/politics enhances national security through stabilized flow. Maintaining reasonable prices for energy and its value added products. Continuing a standard of living that Americans have worked hard to attain and have a right to enjoy. Making money for industries, stockholders and employees. There is nothing wrong with any of these outcomes. However, these are not the only pluses to solving this energy crisis. One that you don't read about or hear discussed has to do with education and leadership. The current situation in which this nation's finds itself is a prime opportunity to show young Americans how a nation can and should problem solve on a scale of large magnitude. The emphasis here is on problem solving. That should not be confused with debating, obstructing or cringing in fear of taking appropriate action. This century is going to be filled with challenges that will dwarf the problems of our past generations. We owe it to the younger and watching Americans to provide real examples of how to deal effectively and responsibly with problems. Surely they deserve more from their 'elders' then arguing, political posturing and the wringing of hands while the problems only get worse. This is the time to bring forth and lay on the table the improved technologies, learned environmental responsibility, knowledge of how to avoid past mistakes and the courage to take action based on the best available science and minimized risks. Urban populations also stand to learn from this. This sector of society has come to know only the consumption part of life's equation. Having not had an opportunity to learn that part of the picture has left these folks with a lopsided view. They have grown to assume they have a fundamental right to cheap energy, but have no responsibility to learn the details of what makes that possible. It's never too late to learn. Energy industries and energy producing regions can and should help to proudly educate their fellow Americans. The current administration
is attempting to lead the nation out of a problem. We have the technology
and the laws in place to solve this problem. Let's give success a chance.
Let's have confidence in our know-how, and the courage to support the
strong leadership Americans are always calling for. Let's all help produce
the solution!
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