Read This Chart and Richard's Entry Below

Richard Schwab Writes

Here is my article, "Using less, producing more U.S. energy" which appeared in today's 4/11/12 Tri-County Press:

Using less, producing more U.S. energy

A lot of oil produced in the U.S. gets refined into gasoline in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The gasoline then goes into pipelines for distribution.

The U.S. is now producing more gasoline than it needs.

So what's the problem?

The pipelines out of the Southern refineries are too few.

Robert Smith, an analyst at PFC Energy, said, "These pipelines are essentially filled to the brim and yet the East Coast market still doesn't have enough gasoline. So they're forced to import."

The U.S. is exporting a record amount of gasoline.

U.S. oil production is at an eight year high.

Any notion that production has been blocked or slowed doesn't square with the facts.

Oil is bought and sold in a world market. Instability in the Middle East causes oil futures to shoot up and higher prices at the gas pump. We have seen this movie before; it happens every single time.

Some politicians have disingenuously promised $2.50 gasoline - having us believe that if we just drilled more for oil, then gas prices would immediately drop.

The problem is America uses 20% of the world's oil. We have only 2% of the world's known oil reserves.

In addition, a drill for 2% and buy 20% strategy alone, ignores the fact that rapidly growing China and India are buying cars - that means the cost of gas will rise. In 2010, China alone added 10 million cars. That's just in one year.

We can't drill our way out of this problem.

President Obama stated, "We can't have an energy strategy from the last century that traps us in the past."

In the near term, the U.S. will continue to rely on responsible production of oil and gas. But over the long term, the Obama administration is committed to transitioning the U.S. from oil towards cleaner alternatives and energy efficiency.

The Obama administration's energy strategy for the future:

•Develop every source of American made energy.

•Develop as much oil and gas as possible - in a way that protects the health, safety, and natural resources of the American people. (U.S. natural gas production is at the highest level in more than 30 years. The Obama Administration's 2012-2017 Offshore Oil and Gas Development Program will make available more than 75% of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. And, we have joined with Mexico agreeing to make more than 1.5 million acres in Gulf exploration available - an estimated 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas.)

•Develop Wind and Solar Power and Biofuels. (Clean energy use has doubled during the Obama administration.)

•Develop more energy efficient homes and buildings.

•Develop more energy efficient vehicles. (Fuel economy standards established by the Obama administration will have cars and trucks averaging 55 miles per gallon - reducing oil consumption by more than 2 million barrels a day.)

Instead of distorting facts, and presenting complete falsehoods for short term political gains, President Obama is offering America a real, sustainable energy future.

Richard O. Schwab was formerly associate head of school, and middle school head, Cincinnati Country Day School. He is currently neighborhood team leader, Glendale Organizing For America Community Team (www.gofact.blogspot.com)

In addition, here is a link to article on line:

http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/C2/20120404/VAV02/304040001/Using-less-producing-more-U-S-energy

Richard Schwab Writes

A rebirth for Athletes and America

My favorite two minutes

on Super Bowl Sunday was Chrysler's "It's Halftime in America" commercial. I will admit I tune into the NFL's Super Bowl as much, if not more, to see what advertisers roll out as how the two teams for the sport's top prize perform.

Eighty-one year old Academy Award-winning actor/director Clint Eastwood narrates the ad. "People are out of work and they're hurting. And they're all wondering what they're gonna do to make a comeback...The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost everything. But we all pulled together. Now the Motor City is fighting again." How inspirational. How patriotic. A soaring message of American resilience.

Political consultant Karl Rove and other Republicans heard a different message - a defense of President Obama's bail out of the U.S. auto makers.

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney famously remarked that Detroit and its auto industry should have been allowed to go bankrupt. With the revival of Detroit's car makers, Romney seems almost disappointed.

In fact, by attacking "It's Halftime in America," Republicans risk looking like they want America to lose.

Karl Rove indicated he was "offended" by Eastwood's ad. Rove accused Chrysler of making the ad to pay off a debt it owed to the Obama administration for bailing out car makers. How cynical.

Chrysler denied such an intention. Chrysler's CEO denied the company had any intention of playing politics. An Obama spokesman said the administration had no role in the ad. Clint Eastwood (former Republican Mayor of Carmel, California and well known for being apolitical) released a statement denying any political motives. An Eastwood associate said, "He (Eastwood) hopes the discussion goes back to the original intent of the ad, which was to inspire people to take pride in their country."

America is staging a comeback, just like the U.S. auto industry. "It's Halftime in America" suggests the Detroit comeback will come true for the entire country. Eastwood tells us, "This country can't be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again. And when we do, the world is going to hear the roar of our engines...Yeah, it's halftime, America. And our second half is about to begin."

Unlike many of my "Toyota Republican" acquaintances, I take great pride in owning a 2011 Chrysler Jeep Patriot.

Playing a part in Detroit's rebirth "makes my day."

Richard O. Schwab was formerly associate head of school, and middle school head, Cincinnati Country Day School. He is currently neighborhood team leader, Glendale Organizing For America Community Team (www.gofact.blogspot.com)