Thursday, March 28, 2024

Bushs energy crisis is a blessing in disguise

The Bush administration’s current heralding of an energy crisis is right on target. There is obviously an energy shortage, because, seriously, who would ever fabricate such a crisis for purely political and economic gain? But more pressing an issue than fixing the light switches in California is the rectification of gas prices.

As petroleum costs have skyrocketed during the past two years, the average price of gasoline in this country is dangerously close to half of what people pay in Europe. It is so expensive overseas that only the very wealthy drive sport utility vehicles, leaving me perplexed as to how European athletes, as well as members of sororities and fraternities, get around town.

OK, so that is a little hostile. But while there isn’t the type of energy crisis politicians may lead you to believe, a long-term energy agenda is needed. Exorbitant gas prices are one of the best opportunities for our country right now. In the current state of gasoline frugality, we are all offered a chance to end a century’s worth of unchecked pollution.

Although most people only discuss (or complain about) the negative effects of rising gas prices, the positive effects significantly outweigh them. If we embrace these, we have the opportunity to alter the transportation future of this country. As demand for petroleum continues to increase dramatically, it is becoming clear that, by most reports, the amount of petroleum necessary to supply the world at its current rate of use is only available for about 50 years. Drilling in Alaska might add another whole month to that figure.

We have based our economy on cheap, abundant fossil fuels, solidifying the delusion that these fuels are limitless. Each year, 60 percent of the oil consumed in the United States is used for transportation, turning vehicle emissions into the leading source of air pollution today.

Even with our current abuse of natural resources, our generation still may not see the disappearance of cheap fossil fuels in its lifetime. But our children may, and our grandchildren most certainly will. It would be far better for this generation, hard as it may be, to accept this eventual shortcoming, and start planning for alternative energy now.

It is this opportunity to plan ahead that is provided by rising gas prices, and can be ensured by their continued growth. Rising gas prices and lowering costs of preferential energies make alternative fuels, engines and vehicles more competitive to own. These alternatives are preferred because they produce little or no pollution.

There is another excellent reason gas prices should be raised and even more heavily taxed. The proceeds of the taxes can be used to improve on the dilapidated mass transit systems in the United States, as has been done in Europe. As populations continually move from urban areas outward into suburbia, they require transportation, and most choose a car for personal comfort or because public transportation is inadequate.

It is necessary that we build or restructure public transportation to increase convenience and affordability. A mass transit system will be necessary in the future and it is better to start slowly now, rather than rushing it later.

There are many reasons you haven’t heard about these alternatives, but it mostly involves politics. Politicians think in short-term goals, and can’t win elections with policies that span decades.

For our nation to remain at the top of the world market, large fuel reserves are needed. Few politicians seem willing to sacrifice our current economic dominance for the good of future citizens.

The existing petroleum business structure represents hundreds of billions of dollars in investment. For alternative fuels to be successful, similar financial backing will be necessary.

Conservation, while not the answer to an energy crisis, can help make the absorption of new energy systems easier. It’s time we all realize short-term solutions won’t solve anything, and we have to make these changes now, while the alternatives are still available to us.

Cavan Moon, a State News intern, can be reached at mooncava@msu.edu.

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