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The Number One Issue…

That mumbling you’re hearing around the country is members of Congress up for reelection holding their prayer vigils, begging that something “good” happens to the economy generally and to gasoline/energy prices specifically. Time and again, I’ve heard or read statements from members about the “number one issue I’m hearing from my voters is energy!”

If you’ll notice, Congress is generally flailing around, trying to come up with parochial solutions to components of the energy crisis rather than coming up with a holistic approach. This one wants to whack speculators in the energy markets, and that one wants to suspend the federal gas tax. The truth of the matter is the problem is bigger than targeted fixes, it needs a comprehensive approach, one that prioritizes need and seeks pragmatic solutions.

Let’s start at the beginning: Energy sources. We rely on oil and gas, alternatives enjoying nice niche markets, but unable to fulfill national needs. This argues for a serious look at a mature approach to exploration, both within our borders and off-shore.

Then we have refining issues. This country hasn’t built a refinery in 30-plus years. The ones we have are likely in need of serious infrastructure improvement. Incentives to increase refining capacity, targeted to areas of the country current deficient in storage — as in both coasts — are likely targets.

Let’s move on to alternatives. Biofuels hold great promise, but we ain’t there yet. However, there are such things as nuclear energy — and don’t anyone bring up Three Mile Island or Chernobyl as those are lessons from which we learn, not the state of current technology. There are liquid-to-coal technologies and coal gassification; there’s wind and solar and there’s hydrogen.

We have the “green” factor, as in how to do we increase energy production and still not run up greenhouse gas levels and water/land pollution? Judging by the number of industries advertising on TV about their “green” products, we’re there.

And then there’s a healthy dose of reality that needs to be taken. If you’re a greenie, then be forebearing and realistic, understand this nation cannot be turned on a dime to become an energy self-sufficient behemoth that can, at the same time, maintain its manufacturing capacity, its exports and its food production, at least not without cost to individuals and companies. If you’re a super-capitalist, accept your profits may slide from obscene to merely excessive by doing practical things to conserve. Get creative…last time I looked that’s how all great entrepeneurs make money.

Sen. John Thune (R, SD) this week rallied nine of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle to send a letter to leadership that basically said, “Get off the dime. It’s time to take the politics outs of this issue and convene an energy summit where we can listen to the experts and come up with a series of programs that will make this country energy independent over time.”

Thune is to be commended. Now let’s just hope the “leaders” listen.