If you read my last column, you know I argued that $4/gallon gasoline and $140+ oil was key to the United States being willing invest in a Manhattan-style Project to break our addiction to foreign oil. I acknowledged the very real fiscal pain that so many of us are experiencing. Yet, I argued that to revive our economy and to shore up our national security, we had to retool and commit to an alternative energy-based future.
In the past two weeks, crude oil futures have fallen more than $14 per barrel and gas prices at my local station dropped more than $.30/gallon. While I am delighted that filling up my tank takes $3.60 less in my Honda CRV, I do not believe the price drop will lull us back into our petroleum-induced somnambulism. Even, if the price drops lower.
Something wonderful has awakened among our citizenry. I’ve had conversations and overheard folks discussing investments in alternative energy, being willing to consider forms of shared sacrifice and of seeing this challenge as an opportunity for a better future. We, the people, know we cannot fix this mess by going shopping. Or by drilling, alone.
Folks as far left and right of the ideological spectrum as Al Gore and T. Boone Pickens are delivering the same core message that we must break our addiction to foreign oil as our primary source of energy. They are putting considerable time and resources into their efforts. The country is ripe for having these conversations and it is deeply encouraging.
It is vital that we keep up the pressure upon those in government and those aspiring to office to make the tough decisions that will move our country to a more stable future. We must not squander this opportunity.
As aspect of a new energy policy, we need to address our crumbling infrastructure. We must repair our badly neglected roads and bridges. To pay for this, we need raise the money and not just keep borrowing. Already, revenue from the gas tax is projected to decrease by $3 billion due to reduced consumption. Were we to pass a dedicated gas tax of $.50/gallon, we would not make up for the lost revenue but could begin to restore our highway system to its preeminence and our bridges up to code. It’s not pretty, it’s not sexy but it must be done.
If you think we do not have the political will to increase taxes at this time, think about tax increases we are already paying, albeit not overtly. A toll road here, a precipitous raise in property evaluation there, an excise fee on this or that license, all add up. They are tax increases. If we had a dedicated gas tax, we would know exactly how much it was to be, we would be guaranteed it would go to infrastructure and not be just absorbed into general funds. Highway and construction jobs created would funnel the money back into our economy. Not into the economies of Saudi Arabia, Russia or Venezuela.
And the best part of keeping high oil and gas prices is that conservation and alternative energy will remain at the top of our minds. We will break our addiction to foreign oil and re-vitalize our economy. What makes us unique in the world is our ability to innovate and reinvent ourselves. Americans at home and people around the world will once again acknowledge our leadership and can-do spirit.
Dennis Tardan is a communications coach, empowerment trainer, and professional speaker who lives in Victoria, Texas. His company is Tardan Professional Development www.tardanprodev.com. Write to Dennis at .
