Resolution on a Responsible U.S. Energy Policy

(original from Rachel Ozretich on 5/23/05, revisions by Dave Conklin 5/24, and Bart Bolger 5/31)

Whereas, climate and related economic disruptions are increasing as the environment reacts to global warming, caused by increasing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases;

Whereas, developing energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources will lead to a decrease in emissions of CO2;

Whereas, the world supplies of crude oil, coal, and natural gas are finite, and the rate of oil and gas consumption will soon be limited by (a) the rate of oil production by other nations, (b) the decreasing rate of discovery of new oil resources, and (c) the amount of energy and environmental damage required to recover the oil found in difficult-to-recover forms such as oil sands and shale;

Whereas, a number of expert geologists project that the peak rate of world oil production will arrive sometime between 2006 and 2021, and will begin decreasing thereafter (Association for the Study of Peak Oil newsletter, http://www.peakoil.net, May 2005; U.S. Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov, May 31, 2005);

Whereas, a decrease in world supplies of oil and natural gas, combined with increasing world-wide demand for oil-based energy, will cause energy prices to increase;

Whereas, most of our nation's food supplies, pharmaceuticals, and many other industries are dependent on oil and natural gas for production and transportation, and increased costs of production will increase the cost of most goods and services;

Whereas, both domestic and international trade are highly dependent on oil-based transportation to move goods, including air, water, highway, and rail transportation;

Whereas, a large increase in the cost of oil and natural gas is likely to result in inflation and loss of buying power per dollar of income among citizens, a worldwide economic recession, and increasing unemployment rates among citizens;

Whereas, increased costs and decreasing availability of oil-based energy, fertilizers, and pesticides for farmers, and climate disruptions due to global warming, place food supplies at risk;

Whereas, the forenamed outcomes would constitute a national disaster, and would pose a considerable threat to the national security of the United States and the well-being of its people;

Whereas, reducing the United States«ÉŸ dependence on oil and natural gas through developing energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources will increase the competitiveness of the United States«ÉŸ economy and mitigate the consequences of imminent cost increases in oil and other fossil fuels; and

Whereas, a more responsible energy policy must be implemented immediately rather than later, because critical beneficial outcomes won't be seen for a decade or more;

Therefore, the Benton County Democratic Central Committee resolves that the US Government should implement a responsible energy policy that:

1. Provides funds for a responsible energy plan equal to, or greater than, those provided as subsidies for the production of fossil fuels.

2. Incorporates the provisions of the New Apollo Energy Plan proposed by Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA). Among its many aspects, this plan is responsible because it:

   1. Provides $49 billion in government loan guarantees for the construction of renewable energy generation facilities, and $10.5 billion in research and development tax credits for the construction of renewable energy-producing operations.

   2. Provides grants to improve mass transit programs.

   3. Requires the President to reduce daily domestic oil consumption by 600,000 barrels (out of the current 20 million) by 2010; 1.7 million barrels by 2015; and 3 million barrels by 2020.

(For more information about the New Apollo Energy Plan, see Rep. Inslee's website at: http://www.house.gov/inslee/issues/energy/apollo_leg_2005.html)