Dreamers and NIMBYs

Supporters of natural gas development are occasionally confronted by those who have different ideas in terms of the direction we as a nation (and world) should be going. They are opposed to further oil and natural gas development, citing Wind, Solar, Wave and Geothermal as better solutions to our energy problems. Others also mention plain and simple energy conservation. The fact is, we need all of the above.

Here's the situation. Renewables currently account for only about 10% of our energy supply. By 2020 it is assumed that number will be up to 20%. Even if that does happen, what about the other 80%. It has to come from either oil, gas, coal, or nuclear. This isn't rocket science. And when you look at the environmental impacts of each of those four sources, it is absolutely clear which one is the better energy source. Natural gas.

That is not to say that it will be problem-free. It is an industry and there will be incidents and accidents, the same as in any industry. Those who think there are energy sources that are problem-free are living in some kind of dreamland. How do I know this? Because the Environmentalists have told me so.

There isn't a single energy source that hasn't encountered the protests of Environmentalists ... including the ones they tout as being better alternatives.

Environmentalists are against:

- Oil (drilling, carbon)
- Natural Gas (drilling, fracing, carbon)
- Coal (mining, carbon)
- Corn Ethanol (lost food source, carbon to produce)
- Large Hydro (kills fish, natural habitat disruption)
- Nuclear (disaster threat, nuclear waste)
- Wind (unsightly, kills bird & bats, needs gas backup plants)
- Solar Farms (unsightly, natural habitat disruption)
- Wave (threat to marine life, habitat disruption)
- Geothermal (drilling)

So, let's get this straight ... you don't like oil, gas, coal, ethanol, hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, wave, or geothermal. What else is there? What do you like? Maybe these people should stop screaming about what's wrong with everything if they can't come up with a real, workable, commercially viable energy plan themselves.

The U.S. is currently buying foreign oil, draining a billion dollars a day from our economy! This country is committing financial suicide and they could care less. They are NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). They would rather see you out of work and the economy crumbling to the ground rather than be exposed to any of the unpleasant aspects or risks of energy production. And yet, they are perfectly willing to use that energy. They're like the guy at the office who's right there to drink the coffee every morning, but never offers to make the coffee, complains about how it tastes, and never puts any money into the coffee fund. It would serve them right to pay a hefty 'nonsupporter surcharge' on any energy that they use.

The next time you hear someone blasting the idea of regenerating the U.S. oil and gas industry, ask them three questions:

1 - What do you put in your gas tank?
2 - How do you heat your home?
3 - What is your plan? (one that isn't from dreamland)