Energy independence is a perennial political football. Everyone seems to agree that Energy Independence Is A Good Thing (this is not a great leap of political courage). Of course, energy independence can mean more than one thing. For some, it means plumbing the depths of ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Reserve) to chase down a few extra years of oil. Others find hope in fuel cells or wind turbines or thousands of hamsters on wheels (my personal favorite). Waiting in the wings is the specter of nuculer (Sorry, sorry, n-u-c-l-e-a-r) technology, which promises clean and bountiful energy (with only a really, really small chance of complete destruction). Coincidentally, tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

The United States has long enjoyed gas prices that would make people in the UK swoon for joy. To put things in a little perspective, at the time of writing, a gallon of unleaded regular is going for $6.46 on average, back home (ever wondered why we drive those tiny little cars with tiny little engines?). Americans are often mocked for their big, greedy cars and their excessive consumption. Not all of this is the fault of today’s consumer, though; urban sprawl and the sheer size of the place has led to a far greater reliance on the car over here, than in Europe. Back home a 100 mile commute per day would be considered remarkable; here, it is almost average. People here think nothing of driving two hours to pop over to see friends. A two hour drive for me growing up was an expedition!

The town my parents live in is approximately the same size as Portsmouth. The difference is it has (at the time I left, anyway) two competing bus lines and about four cab companies, and a light rail system linking it with Glasgow (Scotland’s largest city, about forty minutes away). Portsmouth, by comparison, has sidewalks. Well, on some streets. And some streets have streetlights, too! If you don’t have a car back home, you can walk to the town center on lit streets, with full paved sidewalks (admittedly, while avoiding drunken yobs who will seek to relieve you of valuables); or call a cab, or take a bus. Over here, you can wait about two hours for a cab to find you, or you drive. Everywhere. America, in general, is not a pedestrian based society. Even those at the lower end of the income scale have at least one car – that’s not a symbol of largesse, but just a reflection of raw need. No car means no job.

To see Bush today deciding to take a stand on ‘high gas prices’ was a source of much amusement for me. Apparently, severe instability in the Middle East, insurgents in the Niger delta, brewing conflict between Chad and Sudan, Venezuelan antipathy, rampant shortsighted greed on the part of the energy conglomerates and an increasing energy demand from the likes of India and China aren’t as influential to gas prices as a few scurrilous station owners marking up prices. Good to know that we’re taking the situation well in hand, George. Oh, and allow them to make more polluting gas, too. That’ll help lower costs – or at least improve profit margins. And hey - just where is that Iraq oil anyway? You know. That oil that was supposed to pay for reconstruction? Ah, well.

What most politicians realise – and yet cannot say – is that America (and most every Western nation) is locked into the global economy. One cannot just ‘take’ the oil anymore, as was done 100 years ago – the taking is too costly, and you’d be fighting Russia, China and India for it anyway – and nor is there enough to go around. Consequently, prices will continue to rise until there reaches a breaking point; when enough citizens have to choose between driving to work and eating, perhaps we’ll finally see some movement on sustainable nationwide mass-transit and move to renewable energy (or a complete breakdown of society and people driving Mad Max tanker trucks around – my money’s on this option). For now though, there’s no political hay to be made by telling people they have to drive less, in smaller cars, or telling industries they have to clean up and be efficient – or heaven forbid, telling Congress that they have to start working together on the problem instead of blaming the other side.

I'm not commenting on this topic but I didn't see any general area where I could bring up something new. June 11 will be the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I was wondering if there was anyplace that this could be seen in a public place with other, interested people? The problem is the time shift. Since the race starts at 8 am local time, all the sports bars are closed. any ideas?
Bob
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