Oil woes and energy solutions

Recently, President Bush called on Congress to end the ban along parts of the American continental shelf. 

The argument is that such a move would be the answer to America's energy demands.

Without diving too deep into any of the debates concerning environmental protection or conservation, I have been trying to get beyond the spin to find out what such a move may mean. 

A big argument against the President's plan is that opening up these areas to drilling will do little to the price of gasoline.  

According to a piece in the New York Times, the Energy Information Administration says that even if both U.S. coasts were opened, prices would not begin to drop until 2030. The reserves in the U.S. simply aren't big enough to radically influence the world oil market. Additionally, part of the challenges, according to a separate article, is that there is a shortage of the type of ships needed to undertake the offshore drilling process. 

The implications
This implies the pain some folks are feeling at the pump already with $4-plus prices per gallon, is not going to go away any time soon -- even if new drilling is approved. 

Already, the effects of high gas costs are starting to be felt. There are reports of an increase in cases of thieves siphoning gas from vehicles and genuine worries this will increase. 

At the other end of the scale, the Federal Highway Administration reported the biggest drop ever in the number of miles Americans are driving. 

Solutions at hand
Apart from drilling for more oil, or cutting back on our time behind the wheel, what other solutions to this growing energy crisis are available? 

In some positive news, earlier this month the U.S. Department of Energy announced $30 million in funding to be shared among General Motors, Ford and General Electric to get Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) projects on the road within eight years.

Rocky Mountain Institute's transportation team, MOVE, has been researching PHEVs as well as other technological methods to improve vehicle efficiency. 

What's more, the team's Winning the Oil Endgame report shows some clear and attainable steps that will end the United States' reliance on foreign oil (part of Bush's argument to allow offshore drilling) and then later end the need for oil completely. 

While the DoE's assistance in PHEV funding follows RMI's thinking, there has been criticism the figures are not enough and the timescale too long. 

One thing is for certain, America's energy demands -- and more specifically gas prices -- are sure to feature in the upcoming presidential election campaigns. 

What you can do
But while we await possible future legislation and policies, there are some really smart ways we all can save energy -- all it takes is a little bit of thought and research. 

Look at what airlines are doing. They are major gas guzzlers and realize that if they start increasing prices too much to cover their soaring fuel bills, passengers are going to say "no" to flying. Instead, they are finding new ways to lighten loads, doing things like power washing engines and introducing lighter passenger seats. 

In this Environmental Lovins blog, we have published numerous tips to reduce personal energy consumption, from reducing air drag, to getting better gas mileage, and even, greening the kitchen. Oil consumption may account for almost all transportation fuel in the United States, but, ultimately, its only part of a larger energy landscape. 

A quick search online can generate numerous guides to reducing your energy expenditure -- one of the more fun options for residents in the United States and Australia is an Ecological Footprint Calculator. 

It's a simulation only -- the real challenge is converting that simulation into reality. 

Andrew Demaria is Rocky Mountain Institute's Director of Content.