FAILED AND CONFLICTING ENERGY POLICY AGENDAS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE USA AND PLANET EARTH

The past three years have been a time of unprecedented volatility for energy demand and supply and consequent gyrations in commodity prices. Demand for petroleum continues to soar as the developing world enters the consumer age. Despite talk about “green energy”, in absolute terms, more fossil fuels will be consumed in 2035 that in 2010. There are significant remaining fossil fuels, which historically have provided abundant and relatively cheap energy to power the global economies. However, new business and regulatory models are required for future exploitation of fossil fuels if we hope to mitigate the anthropogenic factor in climate change, and its impact on the environment and public health and well-being.

The USA and its OECD peers, together with the developing nations, must enact legislation that stimulates the transition from fossil to renewable energy resources; but do so, on a timeline that recognizes the importance of fossil fuels, the immense capital investment in existing fossil fuel infrastructure and employment; and the sheer physical and economic challenges of making the transition. Tax incentives and R&D subsidies should be used to stimulate and accelerate the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and scale-up of alternate energy resources. Regulations should be structured in a manner that will not adversely impact vital industries and employment.

The United States consumes nearly 25% of the world’s energy resources, yet Americans and their policy makers are in denial regarding the globalization of energy demand, climate change, and the impact of failed and conflicting energy policies on the USA and the planet. Conflicting public and commercial interests and government policy have paralyzed rational development of the nation’s energy resources, and implementation of a sound energy policy.

The public and our legislators must have a better understanding of energy, the environment and the geosciences, so realistic, effective and science-based energy policies can become law. As professional geoscientists we have a duty to educate our fellow citizens to assure an environmentally sustainable future.