DEMAND FOR NEW ENERGY IS A DEMAND FOR NEW LEADERSHIP -- RON FENEX IN BILLINGS GAZETTE

Guest Opinion

8/2/08

DEMAND FOR NEW ENERGY IS A DEMAND FOR NEW LEADERSHIP

In a recent Gazette guest opinion, the writer accuses environmentalists of causing high gasoline and energy prices. We all feel the pinch, but those who advocate for conservation of rapidly depleting fossil-fuel resources and the stewardship of our great rivers, clean air, and Western vistas are not at the root, or even near the scene of the crime of $4-plus gasoline.

Remember when Vice President Richard Cheney scoffed at those who suggested that cutting demand for oil and gas with more efficient cars and trucks? (“Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.”) Those remarks took place in May 2001. Had steps been taken to address this issue proactively at that time, serious reductions in use would have resulted in less pressure on the commodity prices today. 

Remember when President Bush told us to go shopping after 9/11, but failed to lead us in a program to reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil through development of long-term sustainable, renewable energy sources? The American people are ingenious, creative and energetic enough to move forward into a new energy and climate strategy if we can elect leaders with the political will to point us in that direction.

It is worth noting, as well, that oil and gas drilling has exploded in Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and other Western states in the wake of the 2005 Energy Policy Act. Remember? This is the legislation that Vice President Cheney wrote while closeted with the likes of Enron. What has that done for the price of gas and heating oil? 

In fact, Enron and the futures market loopholes, which the deregulation crowd put into place over the last two decades, has much more to do with the overheated bidding for oil taking place now. The futures market is a key factor in the price of food and oil. By the way, the nickname for the loophole is the “Enron” loophole.

Remember when Enron had the economy of California and other Western states in its grip? Remember when Montana industry shut down hundreds of jobs because of the skyrocketing cost of electricity because of supply shortages? Remember how environmentalists were blamed for that -- until the truth came out. It was Enron taking advantage of the system and making out like a bandit! 

We do need leadership on energy. We do need to kick the oil habit. We do need to make it happen now, not 30 years from now. We can start by demanding Congress stand up to the oil industry and the oil industry’s man in the White House and pass the Jobs, Energy, Families and Disaster Relief Act of 2008, which has passed the House.

Our future lies in renewable energy and effectively addressing climate change, not in stripping the arboreal forests of Canada for tar sands, the delicate mesas of Colorado for oil shale, and the dewatering of the Northern Great Plains for coal-to-liquids synthetic fuel. 

Ron Fenex is a retired educator specializing in population, resources, and environment. He is a member of the Northern Plains Resource Council Board of Directors. Northern Plains is a conservation and family agriculture group that organizes Montana citizens to protect our water quality, family farms and ranches, and our unique way of life.