Don Allen - July 06, 2006
Western Environmental Tarde Association
Energy Independence
Hopefully, everyone enjoyed a safe and happy 4th of July! Also I hope you took time to reflect on how great it is to live in a free country. Regardless of our beliefs and backgrounds we all share one common and important characteristic – we enjoy our independence. And what better time to think about that, than on Independence Day?
Montanans, like most other Americans, know the value of hard work and being able to enjoy our lifestyle. While too often, we have taken it for granted, certainly, one thing that has made it possible to have the things we want and the time to enjoy them is the availability of energy. We like to be able to travel any time we wish and turn the lights on by flipping a switch. And yet, today, we are finally having to face the reality that for too long we have gradually been losing some of our independence by depending more and more on foreign sources of oil – often from those who really want to destroy us and our way of life. The sharp increase in the cost of gasoline and diesel has spurred more interest in conservation and in getting serious about developing alternative sources of energy as well as new technologies. However, it will still be several years before adequate supplies of dependable, sustainable and cost effective fuels from alternative sources are available on a widespread basis.
Regarding the production of more domestic oil, Montana has done its part by dramatically increasing production in Eastern Montana. The resulting increase in oil revenue is a big factor in the growing surplus in the state’s budget.
But in the bigger picture, extreme environmental groups have been successful in blocking attempts to drill for more oil and gas on our public lands and the Outer Continental Shelf. No new oil refinery has been built in the US in over 30 years and a recent poll shows that many Americans would object to one being built in their area.
Montana also has an abundant supply of another form of energy – coal. The state’s vast coal reserves offer a great opportunity for Montana to be a major player in supplying coal fired energy to our citizens and to those in other parts of the country as well, while adding value to and gaining revenue from a Montana natural resource.
One important point about Montana’s future regarding coal fired generating plants - both existing and proposed facilities. Montana and all other states have to comply with a new federal mercury emissions rule by November, 2006 and the standards in that rule are adequate to protect human health. However, those who oppose any new plants being built and the continued viable operation of existing plants in Montana are attempting to have an excessive and unnecessary rule adopted. If this rule is adopted as currently proposed it will lead to new coal energy facilities being built elsewhere and higher energy costs for Montanans.
Another valuable energy source that is largely not being produced in Montana is coalbed natural gas, which is stymied by excessive regulations and lawsuits.
Montana is indeed the Treasure State, which has and continues to produce many products that we use in our daily lives and provide us with the independence and lifestyle we enjoy. It is hard to imagine that 100 years ago the life expectancy in the US was only 47 years, only 14% of the homes had a bathtub and only 8% of the homes had a telephone. While a lot has changed since 1906 and when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, one thing has not: we still have an abundance of resources that can continue to provide independence and freedom for all our citizens. We just need to develop and use them in a responsible manner.
This is Don Allen on behalf of WETA, the Western Environmental Trade Association.
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