If you look at the energy plans of candidates running for New York State’s 21st Congressional District, you will have a hard time finding one more comprehensive than Jim Buhrmaster’s. What I like about Buhrmaster is that he states that both Republicans and Democrats need to give a little if the current energy crisis is going to be resolved.
Here is the overview of his plan.
The decisions we make today on energy policy will have lasting affects on our economy and our national security. Indeed, how we deal with energy and our environment will define our time.
For decades we have known that our energy needs would grow; greenhouse gas emissions endanger our environment; and that our massive dependence on foreign oil threatens the safety of every American. Yet when compared to the advancements we have made in other areas over the last forty years, our energy program is in the Dark Ages.
This has happened not because of a lack of ideas or creativity. It happened largely because of politicians in Washington, D.C. who don’t want to make tough decisions. Just like many other critical issues, energy is a victim of partisan gridlock. It is also worth noting that we as citizens haven’t been sufficiently motivated by this issue to demand that real solutions be found.
It is important to recognize that the price of a barrel of oil is greatly influenced by a variety of factors including:
• New demand from emerging economies, particularly China and India;
• Political instability in regions of the world besides the Middle East, like Nigeria and Venezuela;
• And, the steady erosion of the dollar.
This last cause deserves far more attention that it has been given. As the Federal Reserve has steadily lowered interest rates to deal with economic issues here at home, these policies have contributed significantly to an increase in commodity prices, especially for oil. In fact, had the dollar maintained its value relative to the euro since 2002, that $130 barrel of oil would instead be in the range of $75 to $80. We all need to recognize that the Federal Reserve is in charge of monetary policy, and hopefully their policies will take cognizance of the impact a weak dollar is having on energy costs.
From a public policy standpoint, there is still much more for us to do. In the simplest of terms:
• Republicans need to get on board with the development of alternative energies;
• Democrats need to accept the fact that we must increase domestic oil exploration and
production;• And all Americans need to do more to conserve energy.
Read Jim Buhrmaster’s comprehensive energy plan.
Some of what Buhrmaster proposes will be controversial. He wants to see development of clean coal.
Probably no one knows more about energy than Jim Buhrmaster, unless it is Paul Tonko, former head of New York State Energy and Research Development Authority.
Our next post in this series will be about Paul Tonko’s energy plan.
