Top 10 energy myths
- Most of our energy comes from oil. Reality: Oil represents less than 40% of our energy use.
- Most of our oil comes from the Middle East. Reality: Two-thirds of our oil comes from the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- We have no choice but to import vast quantities of oil and natural gas. Reality: The USA could significantly reduce imports by expanding domestic production.
- Offshore oil production poses environmental risks, including oil spills and pollution. Reality: New technology has greatly reduced the risk of oil spills. Reducing oil reservoir pressure through extraction of petroleum will decrease the amount of oil pollution from natural seepage.
- Reducing our petroleum use through alternative energies like solar and wind will increase US energy security. Reality: Reducing petroleum use will first reduce domestic production, not production in unstable regions. Renewable technologies are subject to import and price security concerns as well.
- Energy companies will not invest in clean reliable energy so we need government programs to do so. Reality: Energy companies are investing huge sums of money to develop cleaner and more reliable sources of energy.
- Renewable energies will soon replace most conventional energy sources. Reality: While growing fast in percentage terms, renewables are a very small fraction of our energy mix and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
- The USA consumes large amounts of energy and thus emits a disproportionate amount of the world’s greenhouse gasses. Reality: The USA uses energy and emits a large portion of the world’s emissions because it produces a large portion of the world’s goods and services.
- Federal mandates for higher mileage cars means less energy consumption Reality: Increased energy efficiency leads to increased energy use.
- Forcing drivers to use alternative fuels will help solve global warming. Reality: Alternative fuels do not necessarily result in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/16112009/top_10_energy_myths/
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