Domestic Energy Policy.
The United States is the top energy consumer in the world. The consumption per capita ranks seventh while it is reported that the larger part of this consumption is fossil fuels. Current usage statistics indicate petroleum and coal at 40 and 23 percent respectively, with the rest coming from natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy (comprising hydro electric, wind, geothermal and solar power). In the last 50 years, consumption has shot up overtaking production and this has led to the deficit being met through imports. This consumption is traceable to four major sectors industrial, transportation, residential and commercial, with the industrial sector leading with 33 consumption. Recently the global oil crises coupled with domestic demand supply benefits have led to high pump and consumer good prices. The environmental impact of Americas fossil energy usage has come to world attention with concerns of foreign oil dependency effects on national security being posed.
The current energy policy frameworks involves clauses on oil and gas energy, nuclear energy, renewable energy, clean technology and energy efficiency. America has a long standing dependency on fossil fuel, especially oil, this has brought up the greatest challenges the country has ever faced, being a threat to the planet and national security (Hinrichs et al). The question of energy dependency is rooted in the states reliance on foreign oil. The intensive use of fossil fuel has and continued to adversely affect global climate change. This calls for a radical policy change by the incoming Obama administration to address the shortcomings of previous energy policies.
The Kyoto protocol to the United Nations aimed at reversing global warming by reducing collective members green house emissions to 5.2 below 1990 levels. The United states under the bush administration rejected under the pretext of flaws in the pact. The irony is that the US was responsible for 36.1 of the 1990 green house gas levels. On the issue of national security oil imported from unstable and unfriendly nations has contributed to national security concerns for instance the petro-dollars are said to fan nuclear ambitions in Iran. As we have also seen the ordinary American has been affected by high costs of living accruing from flawed energy policy. The energy crisis has been caused by surging demand for energy in US industry and existence of a demand-supply gap. This results from energy inefficiencies and over-emphasis on fossil fuels which can only be sourced abroad.
This problem has not been solved due to partisanship and undue influence of parties within special interests. President Bushs rejection of the Kyoto pact was shored up by big US oil and auto companies. Oil and auto corporations made substantial contributions to the 2000 presidential race. This resulted in a series of policy pay backs and political appointments that culminate in the rejection of the Kyoto protocol.
Long standing solutions are required that will bring America in proximity to energy independence. Options Include a Cap and Trade program that should be installed to curb greenhouse emissions. It will be structured to incentivize pollution adjustments by setting emission limits. These limits are to be allowed with emission rights or credits that represent an allowance to emit up to a certain level. These credits can subsequently be auctioned among companies ensuring that those who pollute more pay for it and that some one else pollutes less.
Investment in clean energy is to be made where auction proceeds from the cap and trade program are to be channeled into low carbon energy. This is meant to reduce reliance on foreign oil dependence. This investment should be in basic research, technology demonstration and aggressive commercial deployment and clean market. This is also projected to create jobs for the American population resulting from the commercialization of clean energy production.
In a policy that will see American vehicles become more fuel efficient procedures to increase fuel economy standards invest in developing advanced generation vehicles for instance plug in vehicles that are more fuel efficient. This will involve investment in advanced research and development, and purchase as well as conversion tax credits for owners of highly efficient cars partner with domestic automakers in form of retooling tax credits and loan guarantees to enable the new fuel efficient cars built in the US mandating flexible fuel vehicles through policy develop the next generation of sustainable bio fuels and infrastructure establish a national low carbon fuel standard to speed the introduction of low carbon non-petroleum fuels.
Policy measures to promote the supply of domestic energy are to be instituted in realization that the economy cannot still do without oil and gas. Much of untapped reserves are protected by leases, over 68 million acres of oil reserves and 40 million offshore. A use it or lose it approach should be used to increase domestic production. Infrastructural challenges federal permitting delays usually hamper drilling initiatives and fixing them is to be part of this initiative. Over 85 billion barrels of oil exist in existing oil fields and are technically removable using enhanced oil recovery technique.
A policy initiative to diversify energy sources to achieve security and independence in energy. This would require that more electricity should come from renewable sources, approximately 10 . Clean coal technology also needs to be developed and deployed through revitalized carbon capture and storage technologies. Safe and secure nuclear energy will also play role in this policy objective addressing the relevant security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage and proliferation.
Finally a commitment to increase efficiency and reduce total energy use while lowering costs. Despite topping consumption statistics, the US as rated by the UN is the 22nd most energy efficient country. Efficiency can however be achieved through deploying the cleanest, cheapest and fastest energy sources. All national buildings should also be subjected to efficiency measures such as making them carbon neutral and improve new and existing building efficiency indices. An overhaul of federal efficiencies is required to improve her performance. There is a trend of missing deadlines of updated energy efficiency standards. Reducing federal energy consumption will play a perfect leadership role in the efficiency war. A final tactic would be to flip incentives to energy utilities by requiring states to implement incentives and offering targeted technical assistance. These moves will benefit energy efficiency utilities instead of merely supporting high energy consumption.
Implementation of the above outlined policy should be able to free the US from foreign oil reliance, enable her to contribute to the global environmental cause, reduce the security threat associated with oil and most importantly improve Americans living standards.
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