THE JIHAD AGAINST OIL; STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER
Philip F. Harris
May 12, 2006
There are numerous strategies to utilize in our Jihad, or holy war, against oil. If we truly desire to end our dependence on not just foreign, but oil in general, major investment in new technologies must be forthcoming. Does the taxpayer need to pay for these investments? Absolutely not; we have paid enough. With continuing reports of record breaking profits, it is time for the oil industry to give back to those who have made them rich. If Congress would pass an Energy Recovery Tax on Oil, billions of dollars would be available to fund the breaking of the oil umbilical cord.
Billions of dollars generated by a mere 5-10% oil profit tax could be used to finance new technologies in automobile efficiency. We are all familiar with the Urban Legend surrounding carburetors that can improve mileage by upwards of 50-100%. My intuition tells me that such devices exist, but their patents are under lock and key in an oil executive?s vault. If such devices do not exist, then part of the energy tax would be used to develop a super efficient carburetor and/or fuel efficiency system. The technology would be used to retrofit existing vehicles. Even on a consumer cost sharing basis, the installation of these devises on existing vehicles would save consumers thousands of dollars in gas costs as well as reducing national oil consumption.
The tax would also be used help subsidize new vehicle gas efficiencies to reach at least the 50mpg level. Foreign automakers have already approached this level of efficiency, so there is no reason to believe that US automakers cannot reach this standard. The recent failure of Congress to mandate a fleet average of 30mpg in the next ten years is a joke. We do not have ten years. Prices will rise and supplies will dwindle. The American consumer will not be able to afford gasoline in ten years if the current trends continue. The rest of the cost required to meet this goal, in no more than a year or two, should be borne by the auto industry.
Other monies from the oil profit tax would be devoted to the development of alternative automobile and home heating fuels and distribution systems. These technologies exist now. There are solar cells and small scale wind and hydro generators. Hydrogen fuel cells also exist. Just go on-line and explore all of the development that has already been done. The only reason alternative energy technologies are expensive is because they are not mass produced. Large scale utilization will greatly reduce costs.
Have you noticed lately that ads for American cars fail to mention the mpg of the vehicles? The EPA should mandate that TV and radio auto ads must include a bold image or statement regarding model mileage ratings. I am not talking about small print on the bottom of a screen or someone speaking so fast you do not even know what they are saying. For TV ads, the mileage should appear in large print throughout the commercial. If this gives foreign makers an advantage, then so be it.
Congress should pass a bill that requires that any new structure financed with the use of federal funds or loan guarantees must include supplemental alternative energy. Systems covered would include heating, cooling and electrical generation. This act alone would put alternative energy into mass production, greatly reducing costs. Having lived in an exclusively solar/wind powered home during the Ice Storm of 1998, I can personally attest to the benefits of alternative energy, particularly during a disaster. We were the only ones in our area with power for two weeks.
Current Congressional proposals to temporarily reduce the gas tax are an insult to the American consumer. It fixes nothing. Why not put a penny (or two) of this tax towards solving the problem rather than trying to cover it up? Use this tax to help build alternative fuel delivery systems rather than soften the high cost for the few months preceding Congressional elections. Has the American voter really sunk to that level of ignorance?
There are certainly many more weapons of mass ?oil? destruction that can be used in our Jihad. We are all aware of the need to improve mass transit systems, to increase energy efficiency standards for new construction, to mandate reduced commercial and industrial energy consumption and to educate the consumer regarding energy reduction. Go to any web site or contact any alternative energy lobby and get a list of these proposals. It has been said that the U.S. Government has technologies that are at least twenty-five years ahead of those that are available to the public. If Congress needs something productive to do, why not investigate this claim? Why not see what the government?s Alternative Energy facility (recently visited by President Bush) has discovered or developed?
I am not an engineer, mechanic or scientist. I do not know exactly how to achieve the breakthroughs that I advocate. I do know that alternative systems are available. I do know that companies like Ballard have developed home based fuel cells that both heat and supply electricity at reduced costs and increased efficiencies. I do know that, when confronted by seemingly insurmountable problems, American ingenuity has been able to rise to the challenge. We can win the war on oil, and we can do it much sooner than later. Actually, we have no choice. Oil costs are taking billions of dollars out of the American economy. Waging the war can put billions back into the economy and create hundreds of thousands of desperately needed jobs.
The American consumer has the most powerful weapon at its disposal, its pocketbook. We can demand change through our purchasing dollar. Buy smart and buy energy efficient. Tell business and government leaders, in no uncertain terms, that we demand change now. I, for one, do not want my grandchildren growing up in a second class country that had the opportunity for greatness, but lost it for a barrel of oil.
Philip F. Harris
Billions of dollars generated by a mere 5-10% oil profit tax could be used to finance new technologies in automobile efficiency. We are all familiar with the Urban Legend surrounding carburetors that can improve mileage by upwards of 50-100%. My intuition tells me that such devices exist, but their patents are under lock and key in an oil executive?s vault. If such devices do not exist, then part of the energy tax would be used to develop a super efficient carburetor and/or fuel efficiency system. The technology would be used to retrofit existing vehicles. Even on a consumer cost sharing basis, the installation of these devises on existing vehicles would save consumers thousands of dollars in gas costs as well as reducing national oil consumption.
The tax would also be used help subsidize new vehicle gas efficiencies to reach at least the 50mpg level. Foreign automakers have already approached this level of efficiency, so there is no reason to believe that US automakers cannot reach this standard. The recent failure of Congress to mandate a fleet average of 30mpg in the next ten years is a joke. We do not have ten years. Prices will rise and supplies will dwindle. The American consumer will not be able to afford gasoline in ten years if the current trends continue. The rest of the cost required to meet this goal, in no more than a year or two, should be borne by the auto industry.
Other monies from the oil profit tax would be devoted to the development of alternative automobile and home heating fuels and distribution systems. These technologies exist now. There are solar cells and small scale wind and hydro generators. Hydrogen fuel cells also exist. Just go on-line and explore all of the development that has already been done. The only reason alternative energy technologies are expensive is because they are not mass produced. Large scale utilization will greatly reduce costs.
Have you noticed lately that ads for American cars fail to mention the mpg of the vehicles? The EPA should mandate that TV and radio auto ads must include a bold image or statement regarding model mileage ratings. I am not talking about small print on the bottom of a screen or someone speaking so fast you do not even know what they are saying. For TV ads, the mileage should appear in large print throughout the commercial. If this gives foreign makers an advantage, then so be it.
Congress should pass a bill that requires that any new structure financed with the use of federal funds or loan guarantees must include supplemental alternative energy. Systems covered would include heating, cooling and electrical generation. This act alone would put alternative energy into mass production, greatly reducing costs. Having lived in an exclusively solar/wind powered home during the Ice Storm of 1998, I can personally attest to the benefits of alternative energy, particularly during a disaster. We were the only ones in our area with power for two weeks.
Current Congressional proposals to temporarily reduce the gas tax are an insult to the American consumer. It fixes nothing. Why not put a penny (or two) of this tax towards solving the problem rather than trying to cover it up? Use this tax to help build alternative fuel delivery systems rather than soften the high cost for the few months preceding Congressional elections. Has the American voter really sunk to that level of ignorance?
There are certainly many more weapons of mass ?oil? destruction that can be used in our Jihad. We are all aware of the need to improve mass transit systems, to increase energy efficiency standards for new construction, to mandate reduced commercial and industrial energy consumption and to educate the consumer regarding energy reduction. Go to any web site or contact any alternative energy lobby and get a list of these proposals. It has been said that the U.S. Government has technologies that are at least twenty-five years ahead of those that are available to the public. If Congress needs something productive to do, why not investigate this claim? Why not see what the government?s Alternative Energy facility (recently visited by President Bush) has discovered or developed?
I am not an engineer, mechanic or scientist. I do not know exactly how to achieve the breakthroughs that I advocate. I do know that alternative systems are available. I do know that companies like Ballard have developed home based fuel cells that both heat and supply electricity at reduced costs and increased efficiencies. I do know that, when confronted by seemingly insurmountable problems, American ingenuity has been able to rise to the challenge. We can win the war on oil, and we can do it much sooner than later. Actually, we have no choice. Oil costs are taking billions of dollars out of the American economy. Waging the war can put billions back into the economy and create hundreds of thousands of desperately needed jobs.
The American consumer has the most powerful weapon at its disposal, its pocketbook. We can demand change through our purchasing dollar. Buy smart and buy energy efficient. Tell business and government leaders, in no uncertain terms, that we demand change now. I, for one, do not want my grandchildren growing up in a second class country that had the opportunity for greatness, but lost it for a barrel of oil.
Philip F. Harris
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