National Security

The common-sense Navy

Robert Rufa Energy, Global Warming, National Security , , ,

Even as the GOP mocks biofuels, the US Navy is taking energy independence very seriously with a plan to have 50 percent of its total energy consumption coming from renewable sources by 2020. Now is this common sense or what? Well, I’m waiting for the Republicans in Congress to hold hearings on why the navy is so gosh-darned worried about a silly thing like national security.

Common cents

Robert Rufa Economics, Energy, Global Warming, Jobs, National Security

Despite almost overwhelming evidence, there are still many who doubt that human activity is causing global warming. For this reason, many of them don’t see this as a reason to change the way we supply our energy — and many don’t even think we need to at all.

Global warming aside, there are other reasons to move away from fossil fuels. National security, for example. The technology exists to make us independent from foreign oil, to permit us to be the sole supplier of our own energy. What more reason would we need?

Well, we’re also addicted to coal, with about half of our electricity coming from coal-fired plants. Coal mining ravages the landscape, adversely affects local and regional ecosystems, and the jobs it creates are filled with risks. What coal miner wouldn’t prefer a job in a plant that made wind turbines or solar panels to one that required a descent into the bowels of the earth, where tunnel collapses and explosions are very real threats.

And there are still other reasons. Were the fledgling companies now manufacturing and marketing alternative energy systems in the US encouraged to grow because of incentives and increased demand, it would be comparable to the oil boom of the early 20th century. Those wise enough to invest would profit. New jobs would be created, good-paying jobs. Tax revenues would rise. And the trade deficit would shrink.

More reasons? Eventually energy costs would come down and stabilize, consumers would have more money to spend, save or invest, and the economy would begin a steady, sustainable climb.

Still more reasons? Well, if these aren’t enough already, I’ll think of some more.