Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less
By Newt Gingrich
July 15, 2008
A few weeks ago, I was in Texas to address the GOP Convention about the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" movement that has swept the nation. We really had no idea, when we first started the petition drive that we would provide the spark that has ignited a fire among frustrated, struggling Americans.
In just over a month, over 1.3 million people called on Congress to "Drill Here, and Drill Now" so that they can Pay Less. The American people have spoken. I commend Sen. Cornyn for listening.
The 1.3 million Americans of all political parties who have signed the petition are appealing to Congress to allow environmentally responsible ways to produce more American energy.
They're not calling for higher taxes on oil companies.
They're not blaming foreigners for our energy problems.
They're not begging the Saudis to sell us more oil.
Through our polling at American Solutions we have long known that a whopping 81 percent of Americans support developing more American energy, including oil and coal. And this 81 percent majority is made up of 85 percent of the Republicans, 83 percent of the independents and 76 percent of the Democrats surveyed.
Texans know intuitively what Washington just doesn't understand: You don't have to be a Republican to be struggling to put gas in your car. Democratic and independent families, commuters and small business owners are hurting too.
Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, if your leaders aren't listening to the clear, expressed will of the people then you have it in your power to change this, to send the message to Washington.
With your help, this Energy Independence Day we will declare our energy independence from foreign dictators.
An America that's independent of other countries for its energy needs is an America that holds a safer and more secure future for our children and grandchildren.
Thanks to Senator Cornyn for his leadership on this important issue.
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Comments
I am concerned about a Department of Energy Report I read from last fall (2007) that examined the idea of opening up offshore drilling. In their report, the conclusion was that the wells were estimated to go on-line in 2017 after construction of the platforms and drilling, and that by 2030 (in 22 years) we could expect to see an increase in domestic crude oil production of 3% from Alaska (ANWAR) and 7% from the lower 48 states. The conclusion in their document was that this was not econmically feasible.
Secondly, My understanding of oil is that any oil drilled here would be traded on the world market and there would be no guarantees that it woud be sold here in the United States. So how would that help us?
Finally, in a report on Reuters news, the found that currently, we are exporting 16-18 million barrels of refined crude (diesel, Gasoline, etc.) to other countries. So, this says to me that prices right now are not based on low supplies.
Investing the estimated $40 billion cost to expand offshore drilling by reconfiguring our infrastructure to a more electricity based economy and investing in wind solar, nuclear, clean-coal, etc. would create sustainable jobs and put the US ahead in the energy race. I see this as the best option for independence.
Look who's telling us to drill now:
http://tinyurl.com/5gjqsk
Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay less, I think this says it all.
In 84 the military built a coal for oil plant to serve their needs that is currently active. Why don't we have dozens more?
The 79 embargo was the second wake up call that was ignored. The hand writting was on the wall then but nobody cared. Milage standards should have been increasted years ago. It would be very easy for auto makers to decrease displacement of engines. They have no trouble increasing it. For example. The small block chevy 350 was 265 ci in when it was introduced and went from that to 283 then 301 then 327 and in now 350 I believe. Drop it back to 283 and milage could be increased. An average increase of 1-2 mpg would save approx 1 million barrels a day and thats just for starters.
Destroking or smaller bore would be the easiest thing for auto makers to do. If you have an SUV that needs a larger motor, use the smal block 350 and you will save about 200# vs the big block currently in use. This is just one small thing that would have a big impact, sure it would take a little work and $ from the auto makers but it would be a very inexpensive way vs some other things IMHO. You could also add an overdrive
I designed a dual fuel system for a car using a carburator in 79, even got a contract from LA and built one for them. Unfortunatly the technology was not ready for ethanol but it did work, Had EFI been around and the seals were like they are today it might have gone somewhere. I was just too early but the concept worked.
I have driven 35+ mpg cars since then and drive a Swift at 40 mpg today. I use my air maybe 10X a year other wise I use fans, close the house down til evening. I use blankets in winter til it is just too cold. All my lights are comp flour and have been since 81 when I first saw them. I am waiting for LED to come down in price. My life revolves around saveing energy. I have and will support ant conservation measure that I agree with. My average gass bill is about $40 and DWP is about $80 on average. I could go on but to put it simply, my life has evolved around conservation ad much as I can for decades
I was wondering why none of the candidates have not given more attention to what I have listed below. All the talk about the economy, health care are meaningless til we win the battle against radical islam. I would love to see one of the candidates take this to the next leven and give us a point by point list of what they would do with some of the things I have listed below. It is not an option, it must be done and all I have heard is window dressing, no specifics. If people would realize that this has the potentail to be a huge industry that could create millions of good paying jobs, maybe they would pay attention.
The only advantage these ME jerks have over us is oil. We should have started in 79 after the 2nd embargo, the BS crosses all party lines, if I can build a dual fuel system for a car using a carburator in 79, the auto industry could have had us like Brazil by now but the Gov has not given a rats ass for 30 years.
Ethonal is only a piece of the picture. GM has a car in Brazil called Corsa, it is flexfuel. Why do they not sell it here? Brazil uses the Molasis from the refineing process to make ethonal. Brazil also has a lot fewer cars than we do so it is much easier for them. Deforeststion is a major concern.
There are a number of new technologies that show great promise. We need more solar, wind, wave and nuke power. Fuel cells are interesting and they are looking at Li. Ion batterys that are 10x lighter than lead acid. We need to find a way to make coal cleaner and an economical way to get the oil out of shale.
We have the tools right now. We have the energy sources. What we have to go along with it is big energy companies (oil, gas, electric) who have a lot of power not only with pol's but with their own forms of corporate pressure some legitimate and some underhanded and devious. It is unfortunate but it is reality and it must change. This is a national security issue now and that should be enough to make the pol's change their positions. We have got to see this as a national security issue or we are headed for demise. America is indeed in a form of sleep.
Just think if the polititions in this country reversed course, quit harping at each other and turned their attention to independence from ME oil with the amount of energy they put into the getting of political points everyday, if they would just join forces with those who want to make this change it would be an unstopable force. And creating and using this new energy I am sure there would be enough high paying jobs to go around.
Americans are chasing shadows and I think it is part of the popular media that has brought us to a place where our attention is so badly diverted and refocused on all the wrong things. We bitch about the war, bitch about global warming, bitch about religion in the public arena but if we stopped for a minute and refocused on what is a more pressing problem we may wake up from our coma's and speak with one voice and someone in washington would hear us. right now they are deaf and it makes me sick. I am for throwing every one of them out of office and starting new and may the people we start with all be energy conscious/national security conscious. It could happen if enough people understand this. focus on this.
We have the smartest people in the world the most ingenious with the most injunuity we would turn the world upside down and become the biggest exporter of energy to the entire world. the world to include the muslims from indonesia to saudi arabia would have to come to us for energy and we being benevolent would not enforce tyranny but we would encourage the change toward democracy and the type of democracy that counts. what we cannot accomplish with our army we would easily accomplish with our energy production. it is a no brainer.
Solutions to global warming, alternate fuels, zero waste etc is a potential huge industry just waiting to happen. It could provide millions of hi paying jobs for this country.
Here are a few more to explore.
http://www.plascoenergygroup.com/
plasma
http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/Frontiers/2003/d5ee.html
recycle fuel rods
http://ventanaresearchcorp.com/
http://www.cleantechbiofuels.net
http://www.konarka.com
Thin solar cells
http://www.power-technology.com/projects/Seville-Solar-Tower
http://www.nrel.gov/csp/troughnet/pdfs/2007/osuna_ps10-20_power_towers.pdf
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/03/29/radical-new-gas-alternative-that-your-kids-will-be-using.aspx
http://www.csiro.au
http://www.beaconpower.com
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/science/ee6d4d4329703110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html
http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/image/2007/02february/01a1819a9ad70110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html
http://www.startech.net/plasma.html
http://www.changingworldtech.com/
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/
http://ocsenergy.anl.gov/guide/wave/index.cfm
http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2007-02/turning-black-coal-green
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/jan07/4848
http://jalopnik.com/cars/over-the-back-fence/toyota-eschewing-lithium-technology-that-gets-prius-to-125-miles-per-gallon-264397.php
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=transportation&id=16624&a
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/03/29/radical-new-gas-alternative-that-your-kids-will-be-using.aspx
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/wave-power/
http://ocsenergy.anl.gov/guide/wave/index.cfm
http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2007-02/turning-black-coal-
I have a lot of hope for the new LED lights whish use only about 10% of the flour bulbs. Right now they are expensive but I think in the near future we will see LED's on a chip that will plug into a cheap PCB and knock the cost down below the comp flour. This simple thing alone would be a significant saveings
http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm
http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp.asp
http://www.cree.com/products/xlamp_docs.asp
http://www.theledlight.com/
http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/index.aspx
The new slogan DO IT ALL, DO IT NOW, DO IT FOR AMERICA is breathtaking.
INVESTMENT, whatever it costs this is a good investment. It isnt how much money you spend, it's about how well you spend it. An investment in Energy, Environment and American Economical advancement isnt money spent, it's money invested.
It's time to STOP WHINNING, that isnt our way.
Most of the oil companies are global conglomerates. How can you control where they get their oil?
I wonder if the interests of these global conglomerates has trumped national security? No offense intended, but, how much money do the global oil conglomerates pump into political campaigns?
As I think about "Energy Independence Day" I think about the original Independence Day that we celebrate on July 4th. I think about how the colonies severed their tie to England and declared war. They staked their fortunes and their very lives on achieving worldwide recognition for their declared status.
Sadly, I question the moral fortitude of our nation today as we talk about this worthy goal. Do we still have the "guts" to place our fortunes and our very lives at stake in this war for Energy Independence? Are we willing to truly fight for it?
I fear that the majority of the American public will sit back and watch Congress for a solution. They will moan and complain, point fingers and blame, but do nothing to contribute.
Perhaps it is partly from ignorance; they don't know what to do. Some only need a strong leader who will guide them. Others, though, expect it to be done for them.
Today, every American can begin to contribute toward Energy Independence. We each can begin by taking a few simple energy conservation steps. Turn off lights when not needed, plan trips better so that we drive less, use less hot water, etc.
The average person feels powerless to do anything about the big picture -- more oil, alternative energy, etc. That is in the hands of the monied and the powerful. However, motivating the average consumer will do much for moving us toward Energy Independence. We all can pitch in and do something. It is the cumulation -- the aggregation -- of each and every little drop of oil that will turn into the flood that will free us from our bondage to foreign oil.