Situation in Libya renews debate over energy independence

The contribution of the unrest in Libya and other countries in the Middle East to rising oil prices have renewed the debate in this country over energy independence, with Republicans and Democrats proposing their own differing opinions of just what energy independence means.

In a defense of his energy policy on March 11, President Obama tried to take a middle course in the debate, calling both for new investment in clean energy and technology, and for more domestic oil production, although he didn't specifically repeat his calls for loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants in the U.S.  He also said the U.S. was prepared to tap into its Strategic Petrolueum Reserve.

That impetus for clean energy as a means toward energy independence was reflected in The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 , whose stated purpose is “to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security,” and to increase the production of clean renewable fuels.  According to Wikipedia, the legislation originally sought to cut subsidies to the petroleum industry in order to promote oil independence and different forms of alternative energy.  However, those tax changes were dropped as a result of Senate opposition, and the final bill focused on automobile fuel economy, development of biofuels, and energy efficiency in public buildings and lighting.

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David Kassel

Accountable Strategies Consulting, LLC