Strengthening America with Infrastructure Improvements- Energy

The American Society of Civil Engineers recently released a study that indicated that the overall grade for our Nations infrastructure is a D.  Infrastructure has become a hot topic in Congress and Citizens for Growth believes that it is important to truly understand the benefits of investing in our nation’s infrastructure system.  Everything from Aviation to Schools, Drinking Water and Dams were included in the study.  This article will look deeper into just one of the 15 different areas graded.

Each day millions of American’s wake up with the use of an alarm clock, roll out of bed, hit the light switch and start a pot of coffee. Within the first four of five minutes of waking up, it becomes obvious that energy plays a vital role in our daily lives and that is before we start the car, dial our first phone call, start the computer, or turn on the TV. How that energy is produced and then transmitted to our homes, offices and vehicles is seldom; but must be considered.

In America, we use several different kinds of energy.   Gasoline for our cars, diesel for our trucks, heating oil, natural gas and electricity for our homes are the most frequent forms of energy consumed and provide the biggest challenges moving forward in the future. Challenges begin when demand increases faster than production can occur.  We have seen samplings of this when gasoline prices skyrocketed last August and unfortunately that will only be the tip of the iceberg unless drastic improvements are made immediately.

Expanding our current energy producing facilities such as oil refineries, nuclear power plants, and liquid natural gas companies is critical to sustaining a solid energy future. Bringing new forms of energy production online will provide substantial supply for our growing population, decrease our dependence on foreign entities and help increase the security and safety of our nation. 

On the surface it seems like an easy task, build new plants and the problem is solved.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  Companies looking to expand production through new power plants face enormous legal challenges and public outcry from a small but vocal group of environmental fanatics.  Often referred to as NIMBY’S (Not in my backyard), these individuals and groups cause some the biggest headaches for companies looking to expand.

Often times, the groups and individuals doing all they can to stop the projects at home are the same individuals and groups that are calling for new technology on a national scale, it is readily apparent that they desire change but aren’t willing to let it happen.

These NIMBY folks seek to organized local opposition, fight the approval of EPA and zoning permits, file costly lawsuits bleeding projects dry of their financing.  Additionally just blocking new energy producing facilities such as oil refineries, nuclear power plants, and liquid natural gas companies; the truth is that they really don’t want a wind farm or any other energy source either to clutter our landscape.

Citizens for Growth is committed to providing our members with the tools, technologies, and information to fight these NIMBYs, so that we as Americans can have the energy we need for the future.