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America Will Deeply Regret Its Fixation On Energy Independence

Forbes -- The U.S. energy independence debate is getting very tetchy of late. Seasoned energy experts are trading cheap blows, principally for sitting on opposite sides of the fence. Nobody doubts that U.S. energy output will keep growing, but whether it ever amounts to full ‘independence’ is at best tenuous. More importantly, it spells total disaster for America’s role in the world. No global oil role, forget being a global hyper power. Those days will be gone.

The allure of energy independence is a compelling story to tell. The U.S. can shut up shop, source all its energy from home shores, never having to step foot outside the Americas to get its energy fix. The U.S. will supposedly be able to boast 15 million barrels a day of liquids by 2020 from a raft of shale oil plays, with massive new

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Submitted Aug 20, 2012 By: angel4me

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LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,206,355 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2012 11:22:23 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Looks like another Blog/Opinion Piece to me..... OrphancarguyPE said, "So you can drive an inefficient SUV cheaply to pick up a pack of cigarettes? What about the billion(s) per day of additional exports needed JUST to cover this cheap energy addiction? Nope, energy independence is a good and necessary goal--but there are many ways to reach that goal." Well said!
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,601 Points:434,880 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 8:47:42 PM Ignore leeac Report Abuse At least we now have a president that supports and advocates higher MPG cars, alternative energy, and clean energy. Thank God.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,121 Points:872,980 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:52:22 PM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse What America is deeply regretting at this time is the mistake which occurred in November 2008. If we can resolve that issue in November 2012, then everything else is the "small stuff".
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,583 Points:481,250 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 10:55:33 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Future will tell. America may actually regret even more not having done anything to achieve energy independence.
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,579 Points:1,457,035 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 8:21:29 AM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse Citing one simple item is easy for politicians. They don't want to address the more complex issues of how our actions will affect international trade, foreign policy, and foreign political influence. Other nations will not longer see the US as a 'Go To' partner on energy and energy related issues. The lack of influence will move to issues outside of energy.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,121 Points:872,980 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:27:26 AM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse What America regrets occurred in November 2008.
orphancarguyPE Champion Author PEI Posts:3,853 Points:735,965 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:21:38 AM Ignore orphancarguyPE Report Abuse "supposedly" 15 million barrels a day from fracked oil, by 2020? Complete science fiction! Here is how fracking is increasing oil supply. The Bakken is about the VERY BEST single fracked oil source in the US. Everything else is likely a lot more expensive AND less productive, even though there is oil there. Not ALL of the Bakken is super productive--only a small portion of the entire geological structure is currently being developed. Oil has to be priced about/above $70 a barrel to be a good long term investment for fracking. And this is in the BEST areas. It takes an awful lot of money and equipment and manpower to develop, and development is slow, steady and incremental. There are NO gushers in fracked oil, just steady small increases. There will be NO overnight supplies created, like the conventional oil boom in east Texas. It is the nature of the structure that fracked oil is found in. The Bakken has been growing by about 100,000-150,000 barrels per day increase, for every year. 6-7 years will equal about 1,000,000 barrels per day. The Bakken is being exploited full out, and is (no surprise) reaching some very real limits of pure growth having to do with equipment availability, manpower availability and the underlying infrastructure to handle additional growth (housing, roads, railways, power supply in, shopping, pipelines, water supply, sewage treatment, enough people to actually do all the support jobs (drivers, electricans, plumbers, teachers, restaurant and supermarket employees and a million other et ceteras) to keep the growth growing. A lot of the straight line growth will have to be bled off to handle the increasingly precarious infrastructure that makes it all possible. Other areas could also be developed, but where is the sudden pool of manpower, equipment and money going to come from? The Bakken has sucked up most of the available US supplies already. We are talking order of magnitude of growth that cannot be created out of thin air just because it would be a 'good idea'. It can't be "liked" into existence. The US uses about 19 Million barrels a day, and half is imported. Unless something fundamentally changes, the math looks like 'quite a few' decades until oil independence is reached. "Regret"? why? That a billion dollars a day is being extracted from US balance sheets and your pockets to pay for 'imported energy'? So you can drive an inefficient SUV cheaply to pick up a pack of cigarettes? What about the billion(s) per day of additional exports needed JUST to cover this cheap energy addiction? Nope, energy independence is a good and necessary goal--but there are many ways to reach that goal. In the meantime, conventional oil is slowly and steadily falling in production. So, the rosy optimistic picture has to account for the additional replacement of decreasing conventional, as well as the increasing of fracked oil. The Forbes numbers are all iffy.
bigmoo63 Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:1,275 Points:83,105 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:18:36 AM Ignore bigmoo63 Report Abuse Yea, right.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,117 Points:2,173,675 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 5:12:05 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse Energy Independence is a worthy goal!
Nancy&Len Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,058 Points:1,946,790 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 4:06:37 AM Ignore Nancy&Len Report Abuse We have been for decades.
fajeff01 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:652 Points:1,322,965 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 3:13:56 AM Ignore fajeff01 Report Abuse Yes...we already are.
BJWI Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,415 Points:737,300 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 12:17:40 AM Ignore BJWI Report Abuse We will never have energy independence if we refuse to look beyond fossil fuels to meet most of our energy needs.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,057 Points:793,605 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:45:41 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse From the article: "Few U.S. politicians (or analysts) pay much regard to depletion rates, cost uncertainties for viable extraction, local environmental risks, or contrasting production priorities across the Americas, not to mention the small fact that Asian NOCs have been making some of the main investments across North America. The fact that oil and gas only accounts for 1% of U.S. GDP, is also rather conveniently overlooked." ================================================================ What Hulbert has conveniently overlooked is that America has been held hostage to OPEC for many years and much of this is because of the pseudo science being promoted by the MSM under the banner of "Climate Change". All the massaging of "facts" will never negate the fact that everything runs off energy and our leaders from both major political parties have done their dead level best to sack our economy for personal aggrandizement and with no regard for our Constitution. For too long our leaders have allowed anti-American agencies (like the EPA, etc.) to use junk science to spread their fearmongering and lies in order to promote their religious worship of Mother Earth. Now that US peasants have become aware of how they have used this nonsense in order to subjugate our country and merge it as just another nation-state into the United Nations, it's getting a little unbearable for them. Increasing domestic production of crude oil and developing the Keystone XL Pipeline are BOTH National Security issues and WE THE SHEEPLE might be a little slow to catching on to their game plan, but we vote and we will make our presence known this November.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,892 Points:1,919,340 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:43:14 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse Building a pipeline from Canada oil sands didn't bring gasoline prices down a penny! The refineries that get the Bitumen cheaper than world crude are sticking it to us in Illinois! And many of you think that getting that nasty corrosive stuff to ports for export will help prices at the pump nationwide. You can forget that!
barber7796 Veteran Author Oklahoma Posts:426 Points:277,560 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:42:42 PM Ignore barber7796 Report Abuse Darned if we do and darned if we don't.
Dragnet Champion Author Arizona Posts:15,411 Points:2,909,735 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:40:00 PM Ignore Dragnet Report Abuse who writes this garbage. Headline sounds like a threat. A very negative story
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,496 Points:1,630,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:38:43 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Add it to the list of regrets.
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,178 Points:412,860 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:36:26 PM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse ok
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,480 Points:2,081,735 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:36:00 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse We know what America really regrets now don't we...
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:7,908 Points:1,545,285 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:35:40 PM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Always a nay sayer in every crowd.
idigau22 Champion Author Washington Posts:23,417 Points:3,202,960 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:34:32 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse √
1momsunshine Champion Author Ottawa Posts:5,495 Points:1,001,555 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:33:59 PM Ignore 1momsunshine Report Abuse hmm
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,575 Points:2,446,110 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:33:56 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse the big oil copmpanies DO NOT want us to know that across USA, we have enough PROVEN reserves to last us 240 years
AUREOLAE Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,364 Points:801,165 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:33:40 PM Ignore AUREOLAE Report Abuse This country has been dysfunctional for the last 50 years, not just now. Run up as much debit as we have and it's going to eventually crash. [Edited by: AUREOLAE at 8/20/2012 12:35:15 AM EST]
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,297 Points:1,560,265 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:32:00 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse We can be independent if we drill and build the pipeline...
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:6,801 Points:1,949,815 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:30:17 PM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Not much
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,317 Points:482,340 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:29:43 PM Ignore millerin Report Abuse hmm...
jlf599 Veteran Author Kentucky Posts:339 Points:126,925 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:29:28 PM Ignore jlf599 Report Abuse Not being dependent on anyone else is good.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,650 Points:1,211,830 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:28:53 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Independence yes... But what are the long term goals... How will they be met?????
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,308 Points:1,903,955 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:28:19 PM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse whatever
inspiretl Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:417 Points:165,480 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:28:14 PM Ignore inspiretl Report Abuse ...
Glock26 Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,529 Points:633,360 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:27:39 PM Ignore Glock26 Report Abuse Should have been dealing this stuff years ago!!!
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,659 Points:1,123,085 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:26:51 PM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse Bull independence is a good thing for all.
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:6,994 Points:1,240,760 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:24:43 PM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse The price of kicking the can down the road.
bbigred Veteran Author Lansing Posts:427 Points:297,950 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:22:01 PM Ignore bbigred Report Abuse It is extremely difficult to develop new oil production, built new pipelines, or oil refineries with "not in my back yard mentality" plus we have the most dysfunctional congress in recent history.
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,697 Points:539,020 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:21:46 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse They should have dealt with this, 20 years ago!
rollercoaster All-Star Author Hartford Posts:502 Points:567,660 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:21:37 PM Ignore rollercoaster Report Abuse drill baby drill
gmcgas Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,958 Points:1,715,145 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:21:23 PM Ignore gmcgas Report Abuse don't think so.
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:20:05 PM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Ok.
58salty Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:6,624 Points:630,865 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:18:49 PM Ignore 58salty Report Abuse This article should be worded in past tense. America Does Deeply Regret Its Fixation On Energy Independence I know this American does & I'm sure all of us would agree that American oil should be kept & used by Americans. Take care of us first. This is not hind sight this is common sense, but common sense is not common.
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,486 Points:2,103,740 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:18:26 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse In the long run, the U.S. should hold its'own.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:17:11 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse but, following present history, when shale is done, we will be at everyones mercy. Our country is becoming a sham. No longer a trustworthy partner.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,990 Points:2,527,310 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:16:48 PM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse ok
KnoxGasPriceSpy Champion Author Knoxville Posts:140,874 Points:920,795 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:15:07 PM Ignore KnoxGasPriceSpy Report Abuse costly
seahawks Champion Author Washington Posts:3,232 Points:1,964,720 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:14:14 PM Ignore seahawks Report Abuse interesting!!!
gamalerin Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,757 Points:994,485 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:14:06 PM Ignore gamalerin Report Abuse I hope not.
Rooster922 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:3,793 Points:657,045 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:13:31 PM Ignore Rooster922 Report Abuse Right on
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,176 Points:1,931,455 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:13:04 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Whether you buy your oil fix at home or from abroad, it's going to cost the same.
genie_racing Champion Author Colorado Posts:6,006 Points:809,780 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:12:00 PM Ignore genie_racing Report Abuse I had never heard the word "tetchy" before. Thank you, GasBuddy, for a continuing education.
gocatgo Champion Author South Carolina Posts:15,658 Points:2,530,555 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 11:09:45 PM Ignore gocatgo Report Abuse Oh, really?