We all know that we are in the midst of a fuel mess.  Not enough fuel.  No way to get it fast enough.  No real plan in place.  You know the deal.  So, what is the answer to solving the crisis?  In a few words, there are a lot of suggestions but not one answer.

At the Republican National Convention there were loud chants of “Drill, baby drill!”  To some, this seems like a good idea, and it may or may not be.  The issues that have come up from both sides of the aisle regarding drilling are that drilling takes a long time to set up.  There is the task of finding the right spot, ecological studies, permits, test drilling, building platforms and more.  Experts, researchers and many others say that it would take nearly 10 years to see any usable fuel from new drilling.

Since right now, the United States has about 3% of the world’s oil but uses well over 25% of the world’s fuel, waiting 10 years doesn’t seem like a helpful short-term option.  This is not to say that drilling should not be part of the equation to address the fuel crisis.  It is to say that other forms of fuel and energy need to be researched and probably combined into a complete plan that will evolve over time.

There are ways to use ethanol and biofuels in certain cars now.  Production could be increased on these cars and incentives could be given to both the automobile manufacturers and the individuals who purchase these autos in an effort to offset costs for both.  Change of this magnitude is not free, and it’s not cheap, either.

There are cars that are already hybrid and cars using solar and electric power.  Other cars in the wings are hydrogen cell powered.  All of these are less harmful to the environment and will conserve energy and eliminate the need for at least some amount of fossil fuels.  Some of these are being used now, and their use can be increased with the right marketing and incentives.

Researchers are looking at ways to use recycled solid waste to power cities and transportation.  There are ways to use nuclear energy to create power, and we have been doing this for decades.

As for drilling, those who say that it won’t work also say that most of the usable oil is located within 50 miles of the shoreline, but the new energy plan, if passed, will not allow drilling any closer than 50 miles of the shoreline, so there may not be many oil rich areas out there, according to some.  Also, even though the lawmakers will allow the moratorium on drilling to lapse so that the possibility of drilling can become a reality, it ultimately remains up to the individual states as to whether they will approve it or not.

Drilling is a viable option and should not be dismissed.  The current fuel crisis was not created overnight, and just like losing weight after gaining it over a period of time, the solution will not be finalized over night either.

T. Boone Pickens, longtime oil man and entrepreneur unveiled his proposed energy plan two days ago.  With Congressmen such as Joseph Lieberman supporting him, Pickens stated that it was essential and critical that the United States break away from the stranglehold that dependence on foreign oil has on the country.

Pickens stated that if the United States does not create change immediately, the country will be getting 80% of its oil from countries who hate us.  As it is, the U.S. is getting over 40% of its oil from foreign countries, and many of those countries find it in their best interests to keep prices high and quantities under strict control so they can control both the fuel – and indirectly, the economy – of the United States and other “western” countries.

Pickens has suggested a plan that includes using wind power for electricity and possibly using natural gas for transportation.  He would also entertain drilling in the Alaskan and Arctic wilderness.  All of this would be in an effort to drastically reduce U.S. dependence upon foreign controlled oil.

Opponents of the plan feel that natural gas is not a workable solution for many reasons, the main one being that Russia and other countries who are not United States supporters control the lion’s share of the world’s natural gas and, as a result, the U.S. could very well be trading dependence upon one type of foreign controlled fuel for another type of foreign controlled fuel, which could lead to a similar crisis in the near future.

Regardless of what path is taken or what combination of steps can be used, most people are in agreement with Pickens that something needs to be done now to reverse this country’s dependence on foreign oil. 

Pickens’ plan may be right for the country or it may need some changes.  Those ideas can be and will be hashed out over the coming weeks and months.  The main point, however, which can be agreed upon by most of us who are tired of being held hostage to foreign oil companies, is that we need a solution to this problem and we need to act now.

The fuel crisis is out of control.  We are hearing all sorts of theories about what needs to be done to fix it.  One minute we hear that we need alternative energy sources.  Then we hear that there is plenty of fuel right now.  Then we hear that there is a need for more drilling.  And we keep hearing that one.

Drilling may be part of the solution to the problem, but is it enough?  Some people are saying that it is. 

We are being told that drilling would be enough if it was done smartly and efficiently.  We are also being told that with the right agreements with the right countries, the United States and other countries would not be dependent upon oil that is being held hostage by countries who would benefit from seeing prices continue to rise worldwide and seeing the “free word” have to scramble for oil.

The solution, some say, is to drill more ourselves.  Perhaps that is true, but it will take time to find out.  For instance, it is important that tests be done in advance of drilling.  With many of the computer programs and models available today, “virtual drilling” on a computer program is possible.  Not only are these programs able to pinpoint where oil is thought to be available, but also to determine how far under the ground it is and what type of drilling is needed to gain access to it.  These programs can also tell researchers the best way to approach the drill is and what the approximate results would be. 

Even with all this information, there are questions as to whether drilling will be enough.  Can the oil be processed fast enough to be converted to fuel?  Can it be marketed fast enough to avert a further shortage or market collapse?  Can all this be done in a way that is financially prudent?

These are questions that are still being researched and will need to be answered.  In the meantime, we are already in the middle of a fuel and economic crunch now. 

It is important to look at all the options available.  Drilling is one of them.  Time will tell if drilling will be enough to stop the crisis.  Additional drilling might be enough to at least help. 

We keep hearing about the solutions to the fuel crisis.  Everything from hydrogen powered cars to bio-fuels from corn to solar power is being touted as the best way to go. 

In addition, Congress has come up with an idea of its own.  Why not drill for more oil?  One issue with drilling is that it has people quite divided and very vocal.  People can’t agree on how to drill, where to drill, how much to drill, etc. 

There are no easy answers.  Critics of drilling point out that it is too expensive, there is not enough oil and if we start drilling now, it won’t help the current crisis.  Others feel that drilling will hurt the environment, plus there is the problem of continuing to depend on fossil fuels.  Others still don’t know what to think or feel about the situation.

While people have been thinking this situation through, Congress has determined that it is a good idea to drill offshore once again.  This hasn’t been done since the 70’s, when drilling was banned for several reasons, mainly environmental.  At that time, there was no fuel crisis.

We have been warned, however, during the past two decades, that we need to conserve, we need to look at alternative fuels and we need to be aware of eliminating our dependence on foreign oil.

Some people have conserved, but all the SUV’s that are almost being given away these days, tells us that a large number of people did not conserve.  Some people and organizations have been working feverishly on alternative fuel sources, and are moving forward in that area.

Congress is saying that they think drilling should be allowed again.  As a result, they are approving drilling offshore, and in certain wilderness areas of Alaska.  The question is repeatedly being asked as to why – if Congress wants to drill – they don’t drill in areas that re already approved for drilling, such as Utah and Wyoming, rather than the Alaskan wilderness.  Most people seem to feel that would make the most sense.

Questions will continue and remain regarding drilling for oil and other solutions to the fuel crisis.  One question to think about is: Why take drilling for one endangered area and several rare species and trade it for a different endangered commodity?  Will we trade pristine Alaskan wilderness and the living things that belong there for oil? Hopefully, there will be a viable alternative.