Brian; You asked me the following Question: Why is it either or?
I respectfully ask why does it have to be a question of drill or develop alternative sources? There is no question that for now we must drill. Our economy cannot survive 4.00 even 5.00 or 6.00 gas and likewise to the derivitives you speak of.
alternatives need to be developed I won't argue with that, but to force economic disaster when it is not necessary is poor planning.
The question you ask is worth an answer and I will give it to you.;
Response is this;
As you already know and I know, we have oil reserves here in the Continental US, as well just off Shore. There are Oil fields being dug in Mexico, the Gulf Of Mexico and in Canada. These will only surfice us and or neighbors for so long, but wait there is more oil here!
There is also oil in two regions of the United States, that the major Oil companies here want and they want them badly. ANWR and the Oil Shale plains of the Dakotas. A vast area of live stock raising and farm lands
Why it is that big oil and there supporters, like yourself, want to drill for oil in our National Parks and where we grow and raise our food resources? Answer that and it will unlock tons of untold truths about them. But back to your question, with an answer.
The Major Oil Companies in the United States, where allowed to drill in the Alaskan North Slope area around Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. After promiseing the American Congress and the American public, that the oil found up there would break our dependence on Foreign Oil imports back in 1972. Do you remember the big Oil Embargo on the US and Europe in 1972, I think probably not.
Well, their loudly voiced promises to free us from imported oil, has not worked and the Great Pipeline ever so needed to move it South, and built over thousands of acres of permafrosted wilderness land, is in need of constant repairs and upkeep, they are no longer willing to do, nor pay for properly. Yes every Alaskian made money on it, but the prodject was a sham to begin with and still is.
So today, they want us to believe that the ANWR will solve all of our oil problems and break the strangle hold on America. It is another lie by them, for more cheap oil ventures. Haven't any of you heard the story about the boy who cried Wolf all the time? Besides the cost of gasoline being $6.00 a gal. Might actually be more beneficial than lowering it.
For one, it will send them and there cohorts a message that enough is enough. Nationalization of them would really make them scream, because if you think about it. Is not the Oil resources of America, ours and not theirs alone. It sounds Socialistic, but what they are asking for sounds a whole lot like dictatorship. `If we do not drill for oil now, it will rise and rise.'
Another falacy they want you to believe is that it is not their fault oil prices are so high. Saudia Arabia andthe other nations do not, and I repeat this strongly, do not set the price per barrel of oil. They announce to the market how much Oil is being produced each month, then trading companies and refiners bid on that oil. Highest bidder gets the best oil first, then so on and so on.
These major companies bidding against each other, full know that the highest market price for a barrel of oil, will set the refining cost for a gallon of Gasoline and its pump price. Only one has to bid the highest, and all the others benefit from it. It sounds like price fixing doesn't it. Well you have to prove it, I can only tell you that I believe it is like this.
Now with my remark of $6.00 a gal. being a good thing, all inports coming to America, travels by boat, or truck, well 95% of it does. If fuel costs them $6 or $7.00 per gal. for diesel fuel or marine fuel just to ship it here! What happens to the price of goods. They rise out of sight and it becomes more economical to manufacture goods here at home again. Jobs return, wages return to match demand for talent and soon that $6.00 per gal. for fuel looks like $1.50. But it solves nothing. it merely resets the ball to roll around againt to the entire issue.
The need for a cheaper fuel source, lets drill, drill and drill.
So let us chop off the cycle by its knees now, and develope those needed power supplies while just sucking up the hardships that go along with it, and keeping those Oil reserves here for future needs in chemicals, products and materials.
You know that man does not exists by oil alone, he needs to pass the gas and get ahead of the pack or game. So let us all reduce this need to use and thus curb demand for more. Build it smarter and better. Build it Greener and leaner so we live better and longer.