Search
 

The Energy Noose Tightens

Of ozone pollution, natural gas drilling, nuclear power plant waste, BP going back to the Gulf Coast and Middle East political contagion.

By Jonathan D. Miller | Updated on April 05, 2011

 It’s all quite remarkable—a formerly pristine hamlet in western Wyoming suffers ozone pollution levels higher than Los Angeles because of nearby natural gas drilling, nuclear power plant waste plunges into the Pacific threatening to wipe out Japan’s fishing industry, BP prepares to resume Gulf Coast drilling less than a year after its oil well blew up with dead porpoises and sea turtles still washing up on area beaches, and the drill, drill, drill folks are back thanks to rising oil prices over the Middle East political contagion.

For more than 40 years, the United States has sidestepped opportunities for conservation and developing new energy technologies simply because big energy businesses (oil companies) and related industries (automobile manufacturers including their labor unions) have lobbied (basically paid off) politicians from both parties to short-circuit new initiatives that might have created world class businesses by now and made us more energy independent. We probably would not have had as much interest in getting caught up either in outrageously costly wars in Iraq or Afghanistan or be involved in propping up failing oil state regimes, the real targets of insidious groups like Al Qaeda.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.