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Get It Right on Gas
NY Times Op-Ed ^ | 8-4-2012 | Thomas L Friedman

Posted on 08/06/2012 9:25:16 AM PDT by Sir Napsalot

WE are in the midst of a natural gas revolution in America that is a potential game changer for the economy, environment and our national security — if we do it right.

The enormous stores of natural gas that have been locked away in shale deposits across America that we’ve now been able to tap into, thanks to breakthroughs in seismic imaging, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” are enabling us to replace much dirtier coal with cleaner gas as the largest source of electricity generation in America. And natural gas may soon be powering cars, trucks and ships as well. This is helping to lower our carbon emissions faster than expected and make us more energy secure. And, if prices stay low, it may enable America to bring back manufacturing that migrated overseas. But, as the energy and climate expert Hal Harvey puts it, there is just one big, hugely important question to be asked about this natural gas bounty: “Will it be a transition to a clean energy future, or does it defer a clean energy future?”

That is the question — because natural gas is still a fossil fuel. The good news: It emits only half as much greenhouse gas as coal when combusted and, therefore, contributes only half as much to global warming. The better news: The recent glut has made it inexpensive to deploy. But there is a hidden, long-term, cost: A sustained gas glut could undermine new investments in wind, solar, nuclear and energy efficiency systems — which have zero emissions — and thus keep us addicted to fossil fuels for decades.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: carbon; energy; friedman; natgas; naturalgas; shale; tax
Bottomline from Tom Friedman - "WHY NOT (to impose) A Carbon Tax?"
1 posted on 08/06/2012 9:25:22 AM PDT by Sir Napsalot
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To: Sir Napsalot

Given the desperate rush to tear out all the dams in America, hydroelectric is apparently a great threat to wind and solar as well.


2 posted on 08/06/2012 9:28:38 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: Sir Napsalot
Get It Right on Gas (Shale Gas Boom Could Kill Solar, Wind)

Not by the hair of Washington's chinny chin chin.

3 posted on 08/06/2012 9:42:24 AM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: cripplecreek

cheap, abundant, domestic energy scares leftards to death.


4 posted on 08/06/2012 9:43:08 AM PDT by TurboZamboni (Looting the future to bribe the present)
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To: TurboZamboni

This is the fight that will tear the Democrat Party apart. All of the Dems here in Pennsylvania walk around all day with a post-orgasmic look on their face, thinking of all the new streams of revenue that are coming for them to spend. In fact they have probably already spent it out to at least 2030.

Obama and his enviro pals get themselves in between these Democrats and the gas wells at their own peril.


5 posted on 08/06/2012 9:51:18 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Sir Napsalot
A sustained gas glut could undermine new investments in wind, solar, nuclear and energy efficiency systems — which have zero emissions — and thus keep us addicted to fossil fuels for decades.

We are not "addicted". There's no need to inject emotional terms into the discussion. We simply want the most reliable source at the lowest available price. Right now, the "green" sources cannot compete with the carbon-based sources on price, availability, or reliability. When they can, our "addiction" will magically disappear overnight. (True addicts will inform you that true addictions do not disappear overnight, and getting rid of one is far more painful than simply finding a superior alternative.)

6 posted on 08/06/2012 9:57:31 AM PDT by Teacher317 ('Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss.)
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To: Sir Napsalot

Seems to me that liberals can choose to buy shares in the NYT or wind/solar energy.

Unfortunately, they’ll use taxpayer money to do either.


7 posted on 08/06/2012 10:28:51 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Congrats to Ted Kennedy! He's been sober for two years now!!)
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To: Sir Napsalot

But, what will we do with those thousands of bird killing, no energy producing wind mills that are popping up all over the place?


8 posted on 08/06/2012 10:31:54 AM PDT by 9422WMR (Life is not fair, just deal with it.)
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To: Sir Napsalot
We need an economical process for methane to butanol production. That will provide a fuel that is almost a direct replacement for gasoline.
9 posted on 08/06/2012 10:39:57 AM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: Sir Napsalot

How do you kill a corpse?


10 posted on 08/06/2012 10:42:07 AM PDT by snoopy 'n linus
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To: Sir Napsalot

Clean energy is a myth. There is no such thing.

Liberals are lamenting that they cannot stop the natural gas industry despite their lies, emotions and hysteria.

Liberals know that this will kill many environmental groups that donate solely to liberal politicians.

Liberals know that they will never control energy via gov’t that is the plan for solar, wind, etc.

A new era of low-cost energy will lead to another 30 year economic boom that will transform this nation in the same way the personal computer transformed this nation.


11 posted on 08/06/2012 10:47:37 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (When religions have to beg the gov't for a waiver, we are already under socialism.)
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To: Sir Napsalot

I think Thomas L. Friedman should set an example for all of us by publicly vowing to stop exhaling carbon dioxide.


12 posted on 08/06/2012 2:12:56 PM PDT by Colinsky
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To: Teacher317

Thomas Friedman is addicted to oxygen, and I really think it’s time for him to make himself independent of this very destructive chemical element.


13 posted on 08/06/2012 3:21:14 PM PDT by Steely Tom (If the Constitution can be a living document, I guess a corporation can be a person.)
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To: Teacher317

We’re addicted to cheap energy. We don’t care where it comes from as long as it is cheap.


14 posted on 08/07/2012 7:07:12 PM PDT by Lorianne (fedgov, taxporkmoney)
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