6 November 2008

Pinto’s Point

Energy independence in U.S.

By Jim Pinto

America stands at a crossroad, a choice between two very different futures. One choice leads to increased dependence on foreign oil, with the future dominated by terrorism and war. The other leads to American energy independence and a world economy that is no longer desperate for oil.

Today, the world consumes over 80 million barrels of oil every day (over 30 billion barrels per year); the U.S. alone consumes over 20 million barrels per day (over 7 billion barrels per year). At $100 per barrel, the global petroleum industry is a 3 trillion dollar a year business. Development of alternative energy to free the global economy from dependence on oil will create a seismic shift within the economic foundation of the world.

Oil is a natural source of energy, but it is not the only source. America can lead the development of new energy technology that will free the U.S. and the entire world from oil dependency. This will cut-off the flow of oil money to the Middle East and put an end to the financial support of militant Islam.

Tom Friedman, The New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign affairs columnist, writes:

“No matter what happens in Iraq, we cannot dry up the swamps of authoritarianism and violent Islamism in the Middle East without also drying up our consumption of oil-thereby bringing down the price of crude. A democratization policy in the Middle East without a different energy policy at home is a waste of time, money and, most important, the lives of our young people.”

So, while America and the world are preoccupied with bankruptcy, will we continue to compound the problem by using more and more oil? Rather, we must we use this opportunity to mobilize our resources and ingenuity to solve a major problem for ourselves and for the world.

Over the past five years, my friend Ron Bengtson has developed a significant web site which represents a collection of thoughts, ideas, and solutions, all directed toward American energy independence. This is attracting attention from government and industry. Go visit.

Related links:

• American Energy Independence website:
  http://www.americanenergyindependence.com/
• Energy Independence Now
  http://www.energyindependencenow.org/
• Declaration of American Energy Independence
  http://americanenergyindependence.org/
• Youtube Video - American Energy Independence Day - America Get Involved!
  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YUpU-J0EHIE

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points, at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.