BCT Editorial – 7/6/08

This page was last updated on July 7, 2008.

Reality intrudes; Editorial; Beaver County Times; July 6, 2008.

The editorial subtitle is “Americans live in a dream world when it comes to energy.”

If you’ve been following Times editorials about energy, you have to get a kick out of the leadoff and final sentences. The leadoff sentence says, “The can-do attitude that made America great is lacking today.” The closing sentence says, “… it’s obvious the can-do attitude that made America great has been replaced by a can’t-do mentality that does not bode well for the future.” I suppose it’s possible I missed one somewhere, but every Times energy-related editorial I found was primarily about telling us what we couldn’t do. For example, we can’t do so-called “fossil fuel,” we can’t do nuclear power, et cetera. This editorial continues that sad heritage.

Further down the editorial we read, “… the United States cannot drill its way to energy independence.” This is a straw man the Times and its fellow travelers constantly attack. Have you ever heard an oil company exec claim drilling is the only solution? How about President Bush and VP Cheney? Of course, not. Other than wackos and those persons dead set against so-called fossil fuels and nuclear power, responsible people recognize we’ll need a portfolio of energy sources, just as we always have.

Once again the Times jumps on “conservation” as a key to our energy salvation. It’s not clear to me if the Times considers conservation and efficiency to be synonyms. They are not. Though not perfect, here’s an example of how I draw the distinction. Conservation is when you cut energy consumption by turning your house thermostat up/down to the point you’re no longer comfortable. Efficiency is being able to keep your house at a comfortable temperature in a cost-effective manner.

Just as any other part of a responsible energy portfolio, conservation and efficiency will take us only so far. Unless someone repeals the laws of physics, as we know them, we’ll always need more energy to grow.

Why are some folks so hell bent on seeing us tackle our energy needs with one or both arms tied behind our back?