Competing with China for Clean Energy Future

It comes as no surprise that China is competing with us for global economic supremacy – in business and technology and, as world energy supplies become scarcer, for resources as well. While we are busy fighting two wars, the largest oil spill in history, a recession, and playing partisan politics, China has been ramping up a clean energy economy that has the potential to vault it ahead as a world leader. China has set a long-term development goal of doubling its alternative energy industry by 2020, though its private sector hardly needs incentives; the People’s Republic is already the largest manufacturer and exporter of clean energy technology, from solar panels to windmills.

Against this background, the United States Senate recently failed to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. There is plenty of blame to go around, from the partisan politics played by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to the hundreds of millions of dollars in dishonest attack ads paid for by the oil and coal lobby. The Republicans were obstinate and obstructionist, the Democrats were weak and uninspired. In the race to create jobs, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and reduce pollution, we are not simply falling behind; we are not even playing the game.

Even an obvious lesson from the most disastrous environmental tragedy in our country’s history was lost on Washington: offshore drilling is clearly a terrible answer to meeting America’s energy needs. With two percent of world reserves and 25 percent of consumption, the United States cannot make a dent in our growing dependence on foreign oil, even if we were to drill on every available deposit. Anyone who says that increasing domestic reserves will increase our energy security is either misinformed or pandering for votes.

More importantly, if the name of the game is economic growth, how can we consider drilling offshore now that the BP oil disaster has shown the crippling impacts of a disaster on coastal economies? South Carolina in particular should not be included in the federal government’s 2012-2017 Gas Leasing Program. Independent, scientific assessments simultaneously rate the Mid- and South-Atlantic as having the least amount of oil and natural gas resources while being the most environmentally sensitive of all Outer Continental Shelf regions.

Just like in any business, cost-to-benefit analysis should guide our energy policies, not politics. To drill in South Carolina, as some state politicians propose, would be to take a huge risk for a tiny prospect of return. We elect our representatives to make discerning choices, not throw the kitchen sink at our problems. Our energy challenge requires a strategic response, not an “all-of-the-above” approach.

Furthermore, how can we consider leasing South Carolina’s coast for exploration when we have yet to fundamentally fix the root of BP oil disaster? The agency responsible for leasing federal land for resource extraction – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (formerly the Minerals Management Service) is being investigated for drug, sex and bribery scandals. South Carolina has a long and vocal tradition of mistrusting the federal government. Where is that resistance now? Why are our state leaders showing so little concern about the federal agency that would be managing the energy resources three miles off South Carolina’s coast?

A growing spectrum of Americans on both the right and the left believe Washington is broken. At least part of the answer lies in the way special interests have bought off politicians and put corporate greed above the common good. How else do we explain the billions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives given to an oil industry that does not stand by the American consumer? Meanwhile, public officials ignore the clear advantages of creating incentives for a clean energy economy. A recent study concluded that investing $100 billion in the clean energy economy would create four times more jobs than in the oil industry. Developing a clean energy economy now means more jobs in domestic construction and manufacturing, which would jumpstart local markets across the board.

If our elected leaders want to show true vision and leadership, they will realize that developing a clean energy economy will not only jumpstart an eager labor force, but will also help create a cleaner, safer, and more secure world for our children. The federal climate bill failed in part because many politicians are unable to see this future, but those of who represent the leaders of tomorrow do. It is my sincere hope that we see a renewal of leadership, especially coming from our own Sen. Lindsey Graham, who demonstrated commitment to the issue when it was first brought to the floor.

The United States is at a crucial juncture in history, and we have important decisions to make. Will we fall behind our global competitors, like China, by continuing to invest in the technologies of the past, or will we put true American ingenuity to work, develop an economy for the future, and rise to the challenge? The choice is ours.

Taking local action against offshore oil

Many South Carolinians are finding themselves enraged by the idea that a Deepwater Horizon-type disaster may be making its way into South Carolina waters. Only seven days after the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe the Mineral Management Service and Big oil companies met in Charleston to discuss the future of offshore drilling in S.C. Many coastal residents, who do not want tar balls on their beach are wondering what they can do as individual citizens to at least slow the process. Residents of San Luis Obispo, California found themselves in a similar position in the late 1980’s, and they acted. The county was able to create and pass a measure prohibiting any onshore support facilities within their counties jurisdiction. So coastal residents, talk with your local representatives and urge them to consider similar measures so that our coastline does not end up horrifically scarred for who knows how many years, sorry to be so frank Gulf residents.