Stories in topic "Policy/Politics"
It's Our Turn to Eat: How Politics Works and Why Activism is So Important
Posted by Prof. Goose on June 30, 2009 - 10:15am
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: activism, interest groups, politics, rationality, social movements, sustainability [list all tags]
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The Trouble With Energy - Part 4
Posted by aeldric on June 28, 2009 - 10:15am in The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand
Topic: Policy/Politics
This is part 4 of a series of posts co-authored by phoenix, who is an Engineer heavily involved in the energy sector. It will be based on a submission we made recently to the Australian Government.
Part 1 is here.
Part 2 is here.
Part 3 is here.
Introduction
In parts 1-3 we presented the problem. In essence, it is this:
- The migration to alternate and renewable energy sources will take a significant time to plan and implement.
- Due to the depletion of fossil fuel resources, we don’t have enough conventional energy sources to support the building of this infrastructure if we assume continuing growth and “business as usual” for this period of time.
- The expense of the anticipated infrastructure will place an almost unendurable strain on GDP.
We now turn to solutions. We have not identified any “silver bullet”, nor is our list of solutions exhaustive. In this section (part 4) we will look at the Australian situation and identify some of the types of questions that need to be asked. In part 5 we discuss some of the issues that the world in general may need to consider.
Understanding peak oil - Why we need the national academy of sciences to study peak oil (petition)
Posted by Gail the Actuary on June 18, 2009 - 9:50am
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: national academy of sciences, original, peak oil, petition [list all tags]
This is a guest post by Phyllis Sladek. This post previously appeared in Energy Bulletin. The petition can also be found at Phyllis' blog.
Peak Oil: Our Need for Immediate Scientific Investigation – and Action
A growing number of international geologists and analysts warn of a looming catastrophe with the onset of the decline in the global supply of oil [1]. Likewise, reports by several federal agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, point to the need for immediate action, because the foreseeable impacts on our infrastructure and economy are without precedent [2].
Please sign our petition, calling on President Obama and Congress to direct an immediate scientific investigation by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).
The 2012 Oil Crunch vs. Cash for Clunkers
Posted by Engineer-Poet on June 17, 2009 - 8:35am
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: cash for clunkers, fuel economy, guzzlers, peak oil, policy [list all tags]
World oil production is beset by declining fields and stagnant investment, and Saudi Arabia is predicting a new price spike even higher than the one in 2008. In the midst of this looming crisis, HR2751 is set to saddle the USA with a brand-new crop of gas-guzzling vehicles.
Does Federal Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Make Sense?
Posted by Gail the Actuary on June 12, 2009 - 10:09am
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: fracking, hydraulic fracturing [list all tags]
A few days ago, Federal Legislation was introduced to regulate Hydraulic Fracturing. Dow Jones Newswire reported:
Industry Warns Bill May Halt Natural Gas Development
U.S. lawmakers Tuesday unveiled a bill that industry warns could prevent development of trillions of cubic feet of natural gas by putting regulation of a key production technique under federal oversight.
It is unclear how much support the proposal could get in Congress or from the White House, but the oil and natural-gas industry has already geared up for a fight to oppose the provision given its potential impact on the sector.
The legislation would repeal an exemption for the process of "hydraulic fracturing" in the Safe Drinking Water Act that requires disclosure of the chemicals used the production process.
By forcing hydraulic water, sand and a small percentage of lubricating chemicals into unconventional types of reservoirs called tight sand and shale gas, companies are able to fracture underground rocks and release the trapped gas not traditionally accessible. States' offices, such as Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, currently regulate the 60-year-old practice.
EuroElections 2009 : GUE/NGL
Posted by Luis de Sousa on June 8, 2009 - 9:40am in The Oil Drum: Europe
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: eu, europe, european commission, european parliament [list all tags]
This series concludes by visiting a political bloc that represents another major philosophical current in Europe. The Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE-NGL) is the Scientific Socialist reference at the European Parliament. Although composed at its core by state-level Communist parties, it also brings together some less Scientific parties that haven't yielded to Liberalism. More than sharing a philosophy, GUE-NGL members share a common reluctance towards the Europen Construction process, at least in its current form.
Editors' note: Apologies to readers. Luis completed this post a few days ago, but through a mix-up on the editorial end, it did not get promptly posted. Since these parties have platforms that may still be of interest, we offer it to you at this late date.
An Alternative National Energy Security Assessment for Australia
Posted by Big Gav on June 6, 2009 - 2:16am in The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: australia, energy security, policy [list all tags]
This is a guest post from Cameron Leckie of ASPO Australia. He can be contacted at Cameron.Leckie (at) aspo-australia.org.au
Introduction
An election commitment of the Rudd Labor Government was to develop an assessment of Australia’s future energy security. This resulted in the release of the National Energy Security Assessment (NESA) in March 2009. The liquid fuels section of the NESA was largely based on the findings of ACIL Tasman’s Liquid Fuel Vulnerability Assessment (LFVA).
Given the importance of liquid fuels to both the global and Australian economy, it is reasonable to expect that the Australian Government would provide a realistic appraisal of Australia’s future liquid fuels security. Both the LFVA and the NESA fail to address key questions resulting in a liquid fuels security assessment that is overly optimistic. This post will explore the key weaknesses of the NESA and LFVA and propose an alternate, more realistic assessment of Australia’s liquid fuels security.
EuroElections 2009 : Greens-EFA
Posted by Luis de Sousa on June 3, 2009 - 8:03am in The Oil Drum: Europe
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: eu, europe, european commission, european parliament [list all tags]
This round through the European political landscape now leaves the parties more used to power and starts dealing with those found more often in the opposition. The Greens – European Free Alliance (Greens-EFA) is the fifth largest political block at Parliament, with little over 5% of the seats. Greens-EFA is a coalition largely composed by state-level Green Parties plus a small number of Regionalist deputies. After an all-time high close to 10% in 1999 the party had what can be called a disappointing result in 2004. Embarking on a worldwide effort to promote its ideologies by the midst of the current term, it is quite possible that the Greens-EFA may reach a relevant stake at Parliament this time.
EuroElections 2009 : ALDE
Posted by Luis de Sousa on June 1, 2009 - 10:03am in The Oil Drum: Europe
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: eu, europe, european commission, european parliament [list all tags]
This series on the Energy Policies put forward by the main parties running for the European Parliament moves on, leaving the heavyweights and bringing focus to smaller political groups. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is the main political group at the centre, pretty much in between EPP-ED and PES. It is the major Liberal reference in Europe, as in the member states where it is represented.
EuroElections 2009 : PES
Posted by Luis de Sousa on May 21, 2009 - 7:49pm in The Oil Drum: Europe
Topic: Policy/Politics
Tags: eu, europe, european commission, european parliament [list all tags]
This is the second installment in a series, that attempts to summarize the Energy policies put forward by the main political blocs running for the European Parliament. This analysis is on the Party of European Socialists - PES. It is the eternal runner up behind EPP-ED, never getting more than one third of the seats at the euro-chamber. Nonetheless, through the alternating democratic process at state level, it has had also a relevant role in shaping the European Union to what it is today.


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