One foot on the accelerator, one on the brake

by Marlo Lewis on July 14, 2008 · 2 comments

The White House announced today that President Bush will lift the executive ban on oil exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf. This action in itself will not allow exploration in the OCS, because it will not remove the legislative ban imposed by Congress. However, it may put political pressure on Congress to lift its ban, if Bush and his allies blame Congress for increasing pain at the pump by refusing to allow development of new petroleum supplies.

Although Bush’s action is praiseworthy, it does not even deserve two cheers. Bush should have taken this step at the outset of his Presidency, in 2001.  Also, it is difficult to make a compelling case for lifting the OCS bans while, at the same time, complaining that America is “addicted to oil.” Addicts do not break their addiction by increasing their intake.

In truth, America is no more addicted to oil than our 19th century ancestors were addicted to horse fodder. As soon as someone develops a new motor fuel that outperforms petroleum on the basis of cost, convenience, energy density, and environmental impact, consumers will demand it and profit-seeking firms will provide it.

But if Bush wants Congress to lift the legislative ban, then he’s got to stop sending mixed messages. No more “oil addiction” rhetoric, please! Otherwise Bush’s policy will have one foot on the accelerator and one on the brake.

{ 2 comments }

Allen July 14, 2008 at 3:25 pm

The problem with the use of the word “addiction” is it implies that it is not only unhealthy but destructive. America’s use of energy, frequently in the form of oil is neither of those. What has been unhealthy and destructive is the rhetoric about weening the US from it’s so-called addiction. Like you said, the oil addiction rhetoric needs to stop.

George July 18, 2008 at 2:35 am

I just was listening to Bill Bennett's program and they had an energy expert, Marlo Lewis, I seem to remember that was very critical of using wind power.

I tried to get on so as to ask him to discuss T. Boone Pickens plan for wind power, which seems pretty ambitious.

Boone Pickens is a pretty smart guy and I was wondering what is his axe to grind in this and additionally, either Boone or Mark is right, so one of them is full of pumpkin seeds.

Which one, aka who do I believe ?

Regards

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