Opinion: What do we do when the oil runs out?
By Howard Johnson
Time is running out on cheap petroleum fuels. Recent research states that we have little more than 40 years of steadily decreasing supplies of that type of energy while concurrently its price grows prohibitively high. Then it’s no more cheap oil. Then what?
We are running out of oil, period. That being said, it’s time to get down to the business of seriously developing alternatives. It is paramount that we develop realistic solutions to the energy crisis from among the multitude of products and systems that are in use, under development, or even latent ideas in the minds of America’s creative genius. We must collect and examine descriptions of fuels and energy systems — past, present, and future — and the many possible and practical ways to replace fossil fuels with renewable fuels or energy systems.
New combinations of old and emerging technologies promise amazing new ways to generate, distribute, and use energy of many kinds. The large variety of proven technologies and systems is astounding. There is no single right answer. The astonishing thing is the variety. In the long run, some will flourish while others will fall by the wayside.
I believe the greatest strength of the energy alternatives available to the U.S. is in the variety of solutions, and that there is no single right answer. He thinks the U.S. should select new energy solutions based on some or all of the following criteria:
* They should be comparatively inexpensive to use.
* They should be developed using environmentally sound, sensitive principles.
* They should be far easier, simpler and less expensive to implement than systems like the hydrogen fuel cell system.
* They should be adaptable to our existing infrastructure with minor changes.
* They should use raw materials we already have or that can be developed here, locally.
* They should be applicable to existing vehicles with upgrades or conversions.
* New fuels should be useable with existing IC (Internal Combustion) engines of all types.
* They should be developed using existing, evolving technology able to be essentially complete within ten years.
* They should create a system that is a net zero contributor of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
* They should use evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary changes — a good start to becoming constantly improvable, adaptable systems that drive numerous growing and improving technologies.
* They should be developed by America-based industry with the many resulting substantial benefits to our nation—social, political, and economic.
It matters not to a driver what powers his vehicle when he presses down on the accelerator pedal. Any power system that provides adequate mobile power economically when that pedal is pressed will satisfy his needs. All of the new systems could replace fossil fuels as the prime energy source for our nation and even the world. We need to develop an entirely new and more efficient means of generating, transporting, storing, and using energy that will generate profitable domestic business, good jobs, and stop the hemorrhaging of billions of American dollars to nations that hate us.
Howard Johnson is an engineer and author of “Energy, Convenient Solutions: How Americans Can Solve the Energy Crisis in Just Ten Years.”
The Energy Crisis is another phony scare tactic used by both government and environmentalists to further their personal agenda. There is no Energy Crisis. We have enough Thorium in the USA to power our society for the next 1,000 years. And unlike uranium, thorium contains 200 times more energy than uranium, is only slightly radioactive and actually turns nuclear wastes into inert materials. But don’t take my word for it, check out “The Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor: What Fusion Wanted To Be” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHs2Ugxo7-8 If this talk is too technical for you then see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOLo73k3OG0&feature=fvst
Mr. Howard Johnson, my favorite lodging establishing, may want to review recent history as the same dire consequences were being predicted before and after WWII. The USA has trillions (with a t) of barrels of available hydrocarbons waiting to be used if we want to extract them. Of course other sources of energy should be explored like dams, (such as Auburn) solar, nuclear, both fission and fusion, and geothermal. Using corn to make ethyl alcohol is already causing food shortages around the globe with attendant civil strife while at the same time it is extremely inefficient to produce. Also using ethyl alcohol reduces vehicle mileage by 30% and distance between fillups also by 30%. Abe Lincoln was supposed to have said if we buy railroad tracks from England we get the iron tracks but England gets the money. We do the same with oil today except 100’s of billions of our dollars go to potential unstable adversaries.
Wouldn’t it be nice if those dollars provided jobs in our country.
The race to the bottom continues under the present administration and unfortunately they’re doing a terrific job. Four bucks a gallon may seem like a bargain soon.
Mr. Kubby didn’t you know fluoride is a commie plot according to conspiracy advocate and radio show host Alex Jones.
Steve, thanks for the link/s.
Hey, Spring time coming ,then Summer,it’s Wall Street and those Camel Jockeys,Gangsters Banksters.
“Happens every damn year.”
There is no oil shortage,my old man help build Halliburton for 50 years ,even the Saudis who love their camels more than their wives know it to.
They know Americana’s will pay for a vacation with high prices just like beers and burgers at the local ski resorts for 9 to 12 bucks,throw in some sex and there you go, 15.00 beers, 20.00 dollar jacks, for seeing the milk cows dance, slide down the pole.
You want see sticker shock…try Europe..
This is great news if you own a pumper well in America..Rich, get richer ,while the poor, get poorer..Thanks Obama for giving the filthy rich a tax break.
I don’t feel sorry for all those power freaks in these huge 500 hp trucks blowing fumes into our homes,you bought it,now live with it.
The greatest problem in the world right now and from now on is ,”CLEAN WATER”!
I’m serious,and I don’t support the TRPA,Sierra Club all the other bureaucratic red tape that doesn’t really work for the people.
Oil,natural gas, are still the most affordable energies in the world for the billions that can’t afford the over priced Green theory products, that billions will never have the option to own because of cost.
None of us will ne here when the oil runs out and we will be using something else by that time.
Saudi Arabia contains 25% of the world’s oil. If oil is so plentiful why are they having to drill 60 miles outside of Saudi Arabia to keep the oil pumping? They are running out, and subsequently we are too. Iraq has the worlds largest oil reserve containing 85 million barrels, as immense as that sounds, America (reported last year) went through 86 million in two weeks. That means Iraq’s oil reserve would last us about 11 days. It’s pretty sad that we all assume that our energy source is extremely plentiful and everlasting. Unfortunately that is not that case, and I hate to say it’s too late to compromise our energy with an alternative fuel source, however nothing will replace what oil does for our society. It does not just fill up our tanks and run vehicles, it’s in EVERYTHING! 10% of the calories we consume EACH DAY is oil. Wrap your heads around it because change is upon us, and it’s more rapid than most expected. What’s unfortunate is our government: instead of warning us, and preparing us, and for God’s sake telling us the truth, has shut the door on advisement and it’s all thanks to the Bush Administration.
There’s my two cents, take it for what it is.
The fact, as Michael Ruppert points out, is that there is only so much oil in the ground, and the growing population of the world is using it up quickly. Every time we burn it, we add to the unsustainable amount of carbon and other pollution in the air, we deepen our dependence on corrupt dictators who are suppressing their people, fight wars, etc. The downside to burying our heads in the sand and continuing our addiction to fossil fuels is far greater than making a rapid transition to renewable sources. Anything less is irresponsible, and a great disservice to our children and grandchildren.
Mike you have your b’s and m’s confused.
It is billions of barrels not millions.
The worlds known oil reserves are over one trillion barrels, or one thousand billion, or a million million barrels.
Check out page 123 of the 2011 edition of The World Almanac and Book of Facts.
OIL – you better sit down.
Here’s an interesting read, important and verifiable information :
About 6 months ago, the writer was watching a news program on oil and
one of the Forbes Bros. was the guest. The host said to Forbes, “I am
going to ask you a direct question and I would like a direct answer;
how much oil does the U.S. have in the ground?” Forbes did not miss a
beat, he said, “more than all the Middle East put together.” Please
read below.
The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April 2008 that only
scientists and oil men knew was coming, but man was it big. It was a
revised report (hadn’t been updated since 1995) on how much oil was in
this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota, western South Dakota,
and extreme eastern Montana …… check THIS out:
The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska ‘s
Prudhoe Bay , and has the potential to eliminate all American
dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Information Administration (EIA)
estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is
recoverable… at $107 a barrel, we’re looking at a resource base worth
more than $5.3 trillion.
“When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see
their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea.” says Terry Johnson, the
Montana Legislature’s financial analyst.
“This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found
in the past 56 years,” reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It’s a
formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly referred
to as the ‘Bakken.’ It stretches from Northern Montana, through North
Dakota and into Canada . For years, U. S. oil exploration has been
considered a dead end. Even the ‘Big Oil’ companies gave up searching
for major oil wells decades ago. However, a recent technological
breakthrough has opened up the Bakken’s massive reserves…. and we now
have access to up to 500 billion barrels. And because this is light,
sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER
BARREL!
That’s enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 2041 years
straight. And if THAT didn’t throw you on the floor, then this next
one should – because it’s from 2006!
U. S. Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World
Stansberry Report Online – 4/20/2006
Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the
largest untapped oil reserve in the world. It is more than 2 TRILLION
barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. In
three and a half years of high oil prices none has been extracted.
With this mother load of oil why are we still fighting over off-shore
drilling?
They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders,
than all the other proven reserves on earth. Here are the official
estimates:
– 8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia
– 18-times as much oil as Iraq
– 21-times as much oil as Kuwait
– 22-times as much oil as Iran
– 500-times as much oil as Yemen
– and it’s all right here in the Western United States .
HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this? Because the
environmentalists and others have blocked all efforts to help America
become independent of foreign oil! Again, we are letting a small group
of people dictate our lives and our economy…..WHY?
James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we’ve got more oil in
this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2
TRILLION barrels untapped. That’s more than all the proven oil
reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.
Don’t think ‘OPEC’ will drop its price – even with this find? Think
again! It’s all about the competitive marketplace, – it has to. Think
OPEC just might be funding the environmentalists?
Got your attention yet? Now, while you’re thinking about it, do this:
Pass this along. If you don’t take a little time to do this, then you
should stifle yourself the next time you complain about gas prices – by
doing NOTHING, you forfeit your right to complain.
——–
Now I just wonder what would happen in this country if every one of you
sent this to every one in your address book.
By the way…this is all true. Check it out at the link below!!!
GOOGLE it, or follow this link. It will blow your mind.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1911
Some interesting comments. Many show lack of understanding of the total energy field, and how politics, media coverage, and general knowledge of the public can affect what we do about energy. If you want to learn about the realities and the options we have in energy, and how we can stop the outflow of billions of dollars to nations that hate us, read my book, Energy, Convenient Solutions. The article is a tiny sound byte in comparison. You could be pleasantly surprised.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/bakken.asp
When we run out millions will die. Time, like the oil is running out.
Tahoe Dad, you think we’re doing a disservice to the kids by continuing to use oil?
How about the disservice we’re doing them by placing huge debt on their backs with out government’s ridiculous refusal to tap into our own sources of oil and coal and instead give “American” car makers billions of dollars to help them develop electric cars that the government then has turn around and give tax credits of 7 grand to get anyone to buy!
Cognitive dissonance: Bush tax cuts would reduce debt and we subsidize the oil industry.
Okay. It’s ALL Bush’s fault. We’ve heard that for the last 3 years.
Nobody here is suggesting we continue to SUBSIDIZE the oil industry. The government shouldn’t be subsidizing much of ANYTHING. But we know you want them to continue to pay for YOUR job.