Issues: Energy

As many Americans are feeling the real pain of high gas prices, oil companies and the Bush administration are peddling a "drill everywhere" remedy that would not have a significant impact on domestic energy production or prices for at least a decade. The only real path toward freedom from oil companies and unfriendly nations requires us to develop alternative sources of energy and to use energy more wisely. By speeding up production of more efficient cars and by bringing geothermal, solar, wind and other domestic sources of energy online quickly, we can reduce our oil dependence while protecting our health and the economy. And average drivers can reduce fuel costs by keeping cars and trucks well-maintained and tires properly inflated, driving a bit slower and driving less. Congressional support for clean energy technologies, expanded public transportation and greater efficiency for the vehicles of tomorrow -- and those on the road right now -- will take us down the closest and fastest road to relief.

Clean Energy: The Solution to Volatile Gas Prices
September 2008
Newly updated NRDC analysis shows that the oil savings from clean energy measures can far outpace the potential oil production of drilling in America's protected areas.

Clean Energy Saves Americans Money
September 2008
Clean energy is cheaper and cleaner than oil, and the amount of fuel we can get from clean energy measures dwarfs what can be scraped from drilling. New NRDC analysis shows that, unlike dirty fuel options, clean energy strategies can actually save drivers money while reducing our oil dependency and slashing global warming pollution from the transportation sector.

Tuning Up America: Real Relief for High Gas Prices
July 2008
NRDC analysis shows that oil savings from clean energy solutions and greater energy efficiency would be more than 500 percent higher than the output from drilling in the year 2030, making these alternatives to drilling the real opportunity for relief for consumers hit hard by gas prices.

The Key to Lower Gas Prices: Efficiency, Not Oil Shale, Can Reduce the Price at the Pump Now
July 2008
Clean energy solutions are more certain, affordable and immediate than potential development from oil shale. Commercial oil shale development is not likely to reduce gas prices, but proven energy efficiency measures for cars and trucks can provide immediate relief from rising gas prices.

Tapping into Stranded Domestic Oil: Enhanced Oil Recovery with Carbon Dioxide Is a Win-Win-Win
July 2008
A process known as carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) could give America access to large, domestic oil resources -- potentially more than four times the proven U.S. reserves, or up to 10 full years of our total national consumption.

Offshore Drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Threatens Our Beaches, Oceans, Coastal Communities and Marine Life
July 2008
President Bush and some members of Congress are pressing to open offshore areas that have been protected from oil drilling for many years but according to the Bush Administration's own Energy Information Administration, the effect on oil prices would be "insignificant."

Unlocking the Power of Energy Efficiency in Buildings
August 2008
Efficiency is better and faster than drilling or building new power plants; buildings are our largest source of efficiency that is just waiting to be tapped.

last revised 7/11/2008