America must face the harsh realities over oil

[Apeman81]

Quote by: Technosoul We know how to use alternative energy sources because it has been tested already and it works. Reduction of the use of oil is the best objective in sight. No reason to build nuclear or other kinds of plants when we can build energy systems that are not potentially distuctive. The cost of gasoline has been manipulated by our own companies with roots right here in the USA and "drilling domestically" will not change the way they wish to rip people off.

Ah yes. The oil companies, who make less profit per gallon of gasoline than the state and federal governments, are ripping us off.

If we had alternative energy sources that worked throughout the nation, we would employ them.

[GloriousCause]

Quote by: Apeman81 Ah yes. The oil companies, who make less profit per gallon of gasoline than the state and federal governments, are ripping us off. If we had alternative energy sources that worked throughout the nation, we would employ them.

We have ones that work, they're just not scalable to oil and gas. But that's not a result of market assessments of the competing energy sources, it's a result of the American government's massive subsidy of oil and gas. I'm all for companies making as much in profits as they like, but we have a problem in America with oil and gas because oil and gas are subsidized both fiscally and militarily by the government. Let's take away ALL the biases and allow a true free market to determine the best path for energy generation.

[maximdewinter]

Quote by: xyzer The same thing applies to drilling off the coasts of the USA? There are hundreds of wells in the north sea off the coast of UK and they aren't bothered by oil seeping into the ocean or on their beaches? Was there a complaint about oil spills off the Lousiana coast as a result of Katrina?

Excellent point. Most people are unaware of the technological advances that have taken place in sea drilling. Not only was there not a drop of oil spilled in the Gulf during a Cat 5 storm like Katrina, but also nothing to report with Hurricane Rita either. Also I get the impression that when you say "offshore drilling" to many people they think that there are going to be towering oil rigs in between the surfers and the sand bar. These rigs go out as far as 200 miles and are not even seen from the beach since the horizon only goes to 7 miles.