oops, there it is

While Republicans were busy blaming Obama's energy policy for the high cost of filling up their SUVs, an interesting article appeared in the KC Star last week. An AP study found no correlation between domestic drilling and the price of gas. Despite lagging demand and higher production than previous years in the U.S., the price of oil continues to rise. Pop!
That's the sound of delusions deflating.
Suddenly, all of those conversations about peak oil ring true. Global demand is what drives prices, and physics rule. Supply is only available at a premium price - it costs a lot of money to build pipelines to ship ecocidal tar sands to Asia. (oh, you thought that was OUR oil?)
Clearly, it's well past time to talk about alternatives to oil. And it's time to write a letter to our grandchildren. We can't undo the damage we've done. We can only start to do things the right way.

the downward slope

Here's the one thing you need to understand about gas prices. They will continue to rise because global supply has peaked. There's nothing we can do to change that. It's time to have serious discussions about how we use energy.

$5 gas

Gas prices continue to rise and we're hearing all the normal crazy talk about lowering prices. Of course, lower prices would be a boost the economy, but the dangerous thing with seeking lower priced oil is that solutions ignore the fundamental causes. Already, Republicans are blaming Obama's energy "attitude" for the price increase and people are fervently repeating calls to drill more, burn more, mine more, use more.
We can't grow our way out of a resource problem. The lack thereof is the problem.
The first step is to understand why gas is getting more expensive. Then get busy finding ways to use less.
Oh, and for all those who seem to think burning endless amounts of fossil fuels has no effect on the planet - everything has consequences.

Talk cents

The latest edition of "Rural Missouri" points out the economic sense of energy saving lightbulbs. It also points out good ways to save money with insulation and better furnaces. Funny. Seems like those same pages recently contained editorials railing at the EPA and government invtervention. Must be a fine line for power companies to protect their profit while saving money for the consumer.
Which is one reason we have public utilities in the first place.
It's going to be difficult to stem the outrage this summer as gas prices increase. In case you don't remember, it was as similar spike in 2008 that set off the great recession. I predict spikes like this for the forseeable future. Demand causes an increase in price until it damages the economy, when falling demand causes prices to drop. Over time, the spikes and the floor both grow higher. Growing global demand is raising prices while production remains stagnant.
As prices rise this summer, anger will spike with the heat and people will be looking for an answer - any answer. The old mantras of "we've got plenty of oil" and other themes aimed at keeping the party going will sound enticing. Except we know the truth.
This is why gas prices are rising, and there's no cure. We have reached the peak of fossil fuel production and supply will only decline from here on out. There will be plenty of oil - for those who can afford it. But don't count on that being you - or us. And politicians sure don't want to talk about that.
Meanwhile, the climate continues to deteriorate before our eyes. Most scientists are in agreement and alarmed. Our current path leads to destruction, and yet, the only real solution offered by either party is more of the same. (To his credit, Obama is at least suggesting alternatives)
Don't be suckered into thinking hydrogen will save the day, or bullied into agreeing that we just need to drill more. We need to shift the paradigm. Our future won't be anything like our past. For better or worse.

There's no tomorrow

As gas prices begin to climb (must be an election year), everyone will talk about what we can do to bring prices down. That's the wrong goal. Here's what you need to understand about energy and the economy in a short 30 minute film.
Don't let the size of reserves fool you either - there will be a lot of fossil fuels for many years to come. The problem is we can't produce as much as we consume, and the cost of burning more is too great. Supply and demand is driving the price and will continue to drive it higher for the foreseeable future.
So, the solution isn't to burn more, it's to find a way to use less. The invisible hand of the market is telling us, "Dust off your bike."

The beginning is near

Interesting op-ed using poetry to change the focus. It's thick reading, but beautiful.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop

The story builds every day. We just learned that many doctors around the nation are going broke. Some of us have experienced the same conundrum in the housing industry - when people can't pay the bills, nobody gets paid. Even country clubs will go bankrupt. A strong middle class is the key to our economy. 
The price of oil is keeping pressure on the economy. Prices are rising everywhere, including your Lottery ticket. But the middle class isn't getting a raise.
Some now have revived talk of a new pipeline, which Canada really wants us to do - but NASA scientist James Hansen said that would mean "game over" for the climate. Feel like winter to you?
And while some may think that technology will save us, or the world will end before any of this makes a difference, JMG points out this week that it's quite likely that things will just slowly keep getting worse.
Ready to take action? Or are you still waiting for the other shoe to drop?