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From my editorial in today's Detroit News:

World oil prices might decline if there were more spare oil production capacity. But the control of world oil prices is not in the hands of investor-owned oil companies in the United States, which control just 6% of worldwide oil reserves (national oil companies of foreign governments own 80% of the world's oil reserves).

Even if the control of oil prices were in American hands, which it is not, Congress refuses to allow access to plentiful oil and natural gas deposits beneath federal lands and U.S. coastal waters. It's hard for our government to ask the main oil-producing foreign countries to increase their production when 85 percent of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are closed to domestic energy production. All too forgotten is that these areas hold billions of barrels of oil, enough to strengthen U.S. energy security and support our economic growth for many years.

Opening oil exploration in areas that are off-limits would be an encouraging sign that our elected lawmakers are acting in the best long-run interests of our national security and our continued economic prosperity.

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This article has 26 comments:

  •  
    Maybe a better idea is to finally deal with our consumption.
    2008 May 22 11:41 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Everything you say is absolutely correct and accurate. One must realize that Congress is more interested in 'media events' than 'solutions'.

    We must realize that the only 'immediate' relief to current high prices is to CUT CONSUMPTION, and the only 'intermediate-3 to 5 year' relief is to INCREASE PRODUCTION; which includes all the sources you pointed out that Congress will not allow production from.... and the only 'long term' relief will come from alternate sources of energy - 15-30 years away. Politics as usual.
    2008 May 22 11:46 AM | Link | Reply
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    Nuclear is cleaner, safer and indeed even emits less radioactivity into the atmosphere than coal. Build 100 nuclear plants within 10 years!
    2008 May 22 11:51 AM | Link | Reply
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    Mark: Your articles are a breath of fresh air and the antidote to political mental retardation.
    2008 May 22 12:11 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Nuclear is great, but you cannot run a vehicle on it! Liquid fuel is what we need, but NOT ethanol. More problems than a solution. Let private industry find a solution, and make it attractive to do so, and we will.
    2008 May 22 12:17 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    I am intrigued by this notion and I understand your intentions of opening up oil wells to increase supply and drive prices back down. This however, won't fix our long term problems. This supply shock could trigger a great change in the way that we consume natural resources and it also spurs innovation. This supply problem that we are having may be a wake up call that we need to stop depending on oil from cartel nations and focus on other forms of energy.
    2008 May 22 01:01 PM | Link | Reply
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    Individuals and businesses are unwilling to make the tough decisions to cut consumption (i.e. 3 day-14 hour fluctuating work weeks, telecommuting, on-premises boarding), Congress is unwilling to open "environmentally (i.e. screw the consumer instead) sensitive" exploration areas, Congress is also cutting funding on nuclear plant development and waste disposal, and we have been waiting since I first started working in the okie oil patch at NIPER for private industry (it is attractive but make sure you meet earnings expectations for shareholders!) to find an alternative energy solution. Mr Dill is right, only a supply shock will awaken the American economy to pursue a painful but long term solution.
    2008 May 22 01:46 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    the easiest remedy will be to ban pension fund, mutual fund and banks from speculating in oil and gasoline.
    as was presented two days ago before the u.s. senate, index speculators have added demand of the magnitude of the entire chinese demand growth over the past 5 years.
    sometimes, it is very simple to get some relief for a perceived big problem: close the loopholes and drive institutional investors out of commodiuty futures markets. pension funds have NO BUSINESS to own a billion barrels oil that is effectively taken away from real supply
    2008 May 22 01:50 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Increasing supply "solves" nothing. My opinion is that we must drill everywhere where there is reasonable expectation of extracting oil. The Bakken fields, ANWR, coastal areas - drill 'em all. BUT... let's not kid ourselves. Doing this only extends the horizon by some unknown timeframe, and it comes with unknown, potentially serious consequences ecologically. The only actual solution to the end of the oil era is to develop viable alternative fuels and also to reduce fuel consumption of all kinds. That means extraordinary changes to infrastructure and culture too. This is the nation that put people on the moon and brought them home safely simply because we said we would. If we could do that, we can tackle this challenge too. The first step, though, is admitting that increasing the supply of oil is NOT a solution. The next step will be to build energy policy that reflects that reality and that transcends the nonsense politics of the past 35 years.

    I give us about 1 chance in 9.
    2008 May 22 01:54 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Great article! US already spent billions trying to develop "alternative" energy solutions and what we've got? Billions more spent on ethanol directly and billions from our pockets on food indirectly, because ethanol eats into food supply! If you don't have enough oil, drill. If there is any economically sound alternative, we'd see it already at $130 a barrel. There is nothing! And you can't cut consumption without cutting population size. Unless you want to destroy middle class (and the whole country in the process).
    2008 May 22 02:03 PM | Link | Reply
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    The sun produces enough energy hitting the planet in 40 minutes to last us for a whole year.

    Yeah, I agree with you--we need to increase the supply.

    The supply of SOLAR energy.

    But we all know that will NEVER happen as long as there are Texas Oil men squatting in Al Gore's White House.

    2008 May 22 02:20 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    P.S....

    Weekly Retail Premium Gasoline Prices (Including Taxes)

    Date Belgium France Germany Italy Netherlands UK US
    5/12/2008 8.68 8.32 8.48 8.58 9.52 8.28 3.94

    Look..I'm not trying to provide "moral cover" for the Texas Republicans who are involved in manipulating gasonline prices here in the US and ripping off consumers at the pump, but...

    ...stop whining! Europeans are paying sky high prices, and their economies are doing just fine! If anything, they are "too strong".

    If you want cheap oil prices, move to Caracas, Venezuela where they pay $0.12/gallon (2005).

    Or perhaps Lagos, Nigeria where they pay $0.38/gallon (2005).

    Let us know how big of a wall you must build around your house to keep the looters out!
    2008 May 22 02:30 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Ok Lex, our chances are 1 in 9. Then the U.S. economic system collapses, this government restructures and the American people do it anyway. Was that the conclusion you were leading too?
    2008 May 22 02:31 PM | Link | Reply
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    special1person, shame on you. The EU has a ton of mass transit systems and Europeans have not had a love affair with driving with the mrs and family for decades. As for France and Germany, both nations are not doing that hot on growth. There people are socialists and work less. That may be the best way to live as a quality of life but Americans are capatalists, through and through. We live for toys and this quality of life is going away (at least 97% of us). That said, the argument really is about maintaining our quality of life and innovating to preserve it. Sacrifices must be made and they will either be smaller now or much bigger later.
    2008 May 22 02:39 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Amen! I agree with Lex, drill em all, but on a policy level we must convert to nuclear/clean coal over some period of time. There's no reason we can't self fund our eventual migration to LNG, then electric, then hydrogen vehicles over the next 25-30 years. LNG can be done today for under $1K per car now. Can't wait to get the GM volt though, I really like that car.
    2008 May 22 02:39 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    there are alternatives to petrol - and yes ethanol [cane based] is where we need to be...Brazil is a great example of how to do it - OUR big problem is no infrastructure. We are retards when it comes to getting good alternatives out to the general public = the same can be said of mass transit solutions that work and that the public will buy into.
    In short - we need to cut consumption and expand the resources we have with ethanol - just not corn based ethanol...
    Our industrial power should be focused now on energy solutions for the near future and beyond...not beyond "oh when all the oil is gone what we we do"...
    2008 May 22 03:29 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Increasing supply will not solve the energy crisis. The whales were saved not by regulation but by the availability of cheap petroleum which rendered whaling obsolete. Similarly, global warming will be solved by economic incentives for industry to move off of oil. I propose a 5 to 7 year tax free profit window for any alternative energy producer which can demonstrate profitability with a small environmental footprint. It's good for business, good for America, and good environmental policy. We subsidized oil for 100 years, let's try something different.
    2008 May 22 04:22 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    ALLIED SCIENCE, INCORPORATED
    P.O. Box 2629, 4161 Mary Lou Street, Pahrump, Nevada 89041
    alliedscience.org Telephone: 775-727-0866 E-mail: grhudlow@yahoo.com


    Form Project Summary

    Project Name:


    General Introduction:
    Grant Hudlow FOUNDER,CEO
    One person can make a difference, has been the driving philosophy for the life of Grant Hudlow. It was this mind set that led to the birth of Allied Science, Incorporated in 1989. Now, nearly two decades later, with a financial commitments base exceeding $7.5 billion, Allied Science, Incorporated carries it’s message of wholesome, values- oriented products across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
    “When we reach people, if we can sell a product, great, but we are first and foremost about spreading our message, “ says Mr. Hudlow. “We want people to know that their is an alternative to the sex, violence and profanity that is in so many homes today.”
    Mr. Hudlow attended California Institute of Technology and the University of Nevada at Reno
    Before spending 13 months on the Korean DMZ, then an industrial turn around expert with Procter & Gamble, Stewart Warner, Fuller Paint and Fairchild Semiconductor.
    Mr. Hudlow left big business to create Allied Science, Incorporated after realizing the need for uplifting, wholesome discussions that carry a positive messages. “I knew this was something I had to do,” Mr. Hudlow says. Creating Allied Science, Incorporated was more of an important work decision than a business one.”
    Mr. Hudlow has since named the chemistry to make this new industry possible, led the design engineering, sold $7,500,000,000 in orders for factories and sold $7,000,000 in orders for the products from the factories around the world. Armed with the belief of his convictions, he has grown Allied Science, Incorporated from a dream to a major international corporation with more than 200 alliances.
    Mr. Hudlow enjoys assisting young people in ther entrepreneurial aspirations as well as working with and training school teachers and other professionals. His professional accomplishments and community service have been recognized by local churches and local civic organizations.
    Mr. Hudlow has two children and one grandchild.
    A little know fact about Mr. Hudlow is his love numbers and statistics. Retired CEO S.B. Devlin says, “No one sees through a problem faster than Grant. He’s a true statistical genius.”

    Terry Ellis, Sr.
    has valuable engineering and construction contacts. He has hands on management and business experience with Fluor Daniels, Brown & Root and others

    Dr. Chuck Baroch,PhD Chemical Engineering, is a retired CEO with Babcock and Wilcox.

    Dr. Davis Clements, PhD, is a Chemical engineering Professor at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska.

    Gary Smith is a highly regarded Chemical and Petrochemical Engineer with quality contacts and broad work experience. His experience ranges from blending his own gasoline for resale to employment with major chemical companies such as Dow, Dupont and Union Carbide. Mr. Smith has a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. Smith assists with the engineering and construction of the total project and with the management of the complex.

    Lawrence G. Erskine, President Bionomics International,Inc., enjoys a solid management and marketing reputation in the USA, China, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Erskine owns and operates a Hazelnut business in the state of Oregon and ships finished (value added) Hazelnut products around the world. He imports and exports equipment. Mr. Erskine spent 10 years in management with General Foods Corp. He attended the University of Oregon, obtained a BA in marketing from Northeastern University and attended an accelerated MBA (equivalent) course from Harvard University, via General Foods Corp.

    Al Avolicino coupled his education in art with his management and leadership skills to become marketing and advertising manager for some of the largest companies in the U.S. Mr. Avolicino will devote his time to establishing contracts with waste generators and creating the necessary educational campaigns. He will hire and train the marketing and sales people. Mr. Avolicino has enjoyed management positions with such companies as General Foods Corp., Servatron,Inc. and Farmer Brothers,Inc.

    Frank Lopez CPA, Lopez and Company,Inc. will be handling the tax and accounting responsibilities for the projects. (Background an resumé available on request)
    The Allied Sciences, Incorporated team’s strategic alliances include work with the following:
    Elko City Council, Phenol brokers all around the world, Economic developers all around the world, BISNIS, USDOC, USDA, US EX-IM Bank, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, UNLV, UNR

    3. Funding Request:
    $70,000,000 to buy $100,000,000,000 of coal on the surface (that can be mined for $.85 a ton) plus $100,000,000 to build, debug and operate a factory that makes $2,000,000 a day by converting coal to 100,000 barrels a day of gasoline and diesel that sells for $.55 a gallon wholesale.

    Term:
    First tranche: $170,000,000 (to buy the coal $70,000,000; to get environmental permits $7,000,000 engineering fee: to buy the equipment $32,500,000; to build the plant $25,000,000 labor and $15,000,000 contractors fee; to debug $8,200,000; operating cost to profitability $12,300,000.

    Community Impact:
    Allied Science will bring 1000 new jobs initially; A $50,000,000 annual payroll; A chemical engineering lab to the local community college; Computers to local children; And money for local infrastructure as needed. In a nutshell, Allied Science, Inc. serves the community by contributing a significant portion ( which has been factored into the base product cost and does not affect returns) of the revenues generated from the factory going to support local charities, help fund community City and State Public Services, as well as supporting biotech and medical research organizations.

    Environmental:
    With the allied Science,Inc. facilities, there is NO burning, therefore NO smoke stacks. NO smoke stack means No air pollution. The residuals are distilled water, which is evaporated, and an ash which is stored and conditioned for one year and is used as a non-toxic powder to strengthen roads, make 19,000 lbs. concrete, and for strengthening wallboard.

    Specific Performance:
    From funding, Three months to buy the coal ; Two months to get environmental permits ; Three months to buy the equipment ; Six months to build the plant; Two months to debug ; Three months to profitability.

    Exit Strategy:
    At end of nineteen months after funding, Allied Science, Incorporated will contractually begin to return 150% of the amount funded for each project. Allied Science, Inc. expects to complete this process within two years of receiving funding.

    Supporting Documents:
    15 pages of supporting documents are available on request as an attachment as needed.

    10. Letter of Introduction from Bank available at later date.
    2008 May 22 05:29 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Amen great article that is exactly what we need to do.But liberals will not let it happen they want us to suffer and feel bad about ourselves like they do.God forbid somebody driving an SUV they want us all in little sh*tboxes and feeling guilty about everything we do.Global warming is a farce corn and grain are FOOD.God is in control!People think so much of themselves that they think we are in control there is nothing we can do to make tempatures rise or fall on earth....seeksomething.com
    2008 May 22 07:09 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Americans are crack addicts. Our "crack" is oil.

    If a crack addict runs short on crack, or the price of his crack doubles, do we solve his problem by producing more crack and giving him more?

    No Western country uses as much oil per dollar of GDP produced than the US. In fact, many countries produce each dollar of GDP with substantially less than HALF of what we use. Why are we so inefficient?

    Because energy in the US is waaay too CHEAP.

    We do not need more oil pumped--we need the price to rise so that conservation and alternatives are incentivized.

    Otherwise, we're in for a FAR FAR more rude awakening than $4 gas.

    Jack
    2008 May 23 11:03 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    The answer is not A. B. C. or D. It is all of the above!
    It's going to take 10 dimes to make a dollar and the quicker we scrape them together the better.

    No, you can't run a car on Nuclear but all cars-(&transport) will eventually run on electricity, and that, you can get from Nuclear.
    That's not the light you see at the end of the tunnel it's the end of crude oil, which nature takes a few million years to replenish.

    We bought the Chinese goods, enabling him to go from a bicycle to a scooter and now we yell "hey Woo Fat don't buy all that gas, it drives up the cost to run my Hummer"---how sick is that??

    This plague of grasshoppers better take a new approach to "The good life" winter's coming.
    If we don't evolve to wind and sunlight we'll revisit this scenario--cause--every... else---runs out!!
    2008 May 23 11:16 AM | Link | Reply
  •  
    How about nuclear power for electrolysis of H2O to make H2 for fuelcell cars. No oil needed and environmentally wonderful.

    Another way is to gasify coal to make methanol and then convert methanol to gasoline using the Mobil process. Still have CO2 emissions but reduced dependence on oil.
    2008 May 23 01:50 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Hey, what a completely idiotic idea! The only people pushing for drilling in ANWR and other eco sensitive areas are hacks being paid by the oil companies or have some other monetary interest in seeing more drilling, or the brain-dead Republican ditto-head drones that repeat the daily talking points without any thought. There is a reason that these areas are protected by our government. But you'd rather cut off our noses to spite our faces. Here's another solution - lets just kill everyone and everything on the planet right now. That will bring the price of gas down really fast too!

    The only real solution is to target the demand side. Reduce consumption, increase efficiency, conserve, and develop alternative, renewable, sustanable sources of energy. Anyone pushing for more drilling as a solution is not seeing the whole picture or has a particular biased agenda.
    2008 May 23 02:01 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    Drilling in ANWR will produce a 1 cent drop in the price of gas in 20 years when the oil reaches the market. Just brilliant!
    2008 May 23 03:08 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    user193313 stand up get off your brain!Probably going to vote for hussien obama too.just move to canada or europe ok.
    2008 May 23 04:10 PM | Link | Reply
  •  
    1 cent in 20 years o wise one
    2008 May 24 04:45 PM | Link | Reply