Today in Biofuels Opinion: “Opening offshore areas to increase oil production for the energy- price-shocked U.S. populace turns out to be incredibly complex.”

Anthony Cordesman, Center for Strategic and International Studies and former national security assistant to John McCain. “Bush says he’ll drop the executive order if Congress first lifts its 26-year-old ban. But even if lawmakers acted tomorrow, it would be years before the infrastructure could be put in place to support additional drilling … What sounds so simple in theory–opening offshore areas to increase oil production for the energy- price-shocked U.S. populace–turns out to be incredibly complex. And to top it all off, the plan can’t resolve the supply and demand problem that is at the core of the run-up in fuel prices.”

Rolf E. Westgard of St. Paul, member of the Geological Society of America and associate chairman of the Crow Wing County DFL: “Remember Malthus, the man whose ideas have been the inspiration since 1798 for anyone concerned about overpopulation and the scarcity of food and other natural resources? The Wall Street Journal mocked both England’s Prince Charles and Al Gore as “Prince Malthus” and “Senator Malthus” for their concerns about population growth, the environment, and resource scarcity. Technology and hydrocarbons had apparently sidelined the dismal science. But in the 21st Century, the fossil fuel supply is tightening, and it is no longer cheap.But world population continues its yearly addition of 70 million. Dealing with resource scarcity will require both conservation and major lifestyle changes, enforced by strong measures such as unpopular carbon taxes.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act introduced in US House: oil drilling, coal-to-liquid, Renewable Energy Reserve Fund planned

23 members of the US House of Representatives have introduced the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act that would lift many restrictions on offshore oil drilling, while provi...

Today in BIofuels Opinion: “We haven’t even begun to see the impact on the cost of food.”

Kent Barton, plant spokesman for Moroni Feed: "I don't believe consumers understand what's going to hit them next year. We haven't even begun to see the impact on the cost of food." Gary Truitt, Ho...

South Korea says it will produce 396 Mgy of ethanol from 86,000 acres of new offshore seaweed forests

In South Korea, national energy officials confirmed that the country will invest $275 over ten years to create 86,000 acres of offshore seaweed forests that will produce up to 396 Mgy of ethanol by 20...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “40 percent of oil price increase due to ethanol”

Chakib Khelil, president of OPEC: "The intrusion of bioethanol on the market [is responsible for 40 percent of oil price increases]...The price of oil will rise again in the coming weeks...We have to ...

Malaysian crude palm oil prices soar to record $876 per ton; tracking petroleum oil increase

In Malaysia, crude palm oil futures reached a record $876 per ton, tracking the increase in oil prices to more than $96 per barrel. The Malaysian government delayed implementation of the Malaysian ...

Palm oil price hikes expected to force delays in four Malaysian biodiesel projects

In Malaysia, skyrocketing palm oil prices are expected to delay the opening of four new Malaysian biodiesel facilities scheduled to open in 2007. Government officials say that unless world oil pric...