EGEE 101
Energy and the Environment

Lesson 8: Security & Energy Policy

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Overview

Our appetite for energy and fuel not only has significant environmental challenges but also economic and political implications. We tend to notice this only when there is a noticeable threat, crisis, or accident related to our energy access. Most of us have experienced the minor inconvenience of a neighborhood blackout; the Gulf War(s) is an example of high-stakes energy-related conflicts on an international scale.

Home sweet home, it's not.
Click for the transcript.

[Dr. Mathews is being escorted to a jail cell.] Police Officer: Here have a seat. [Dr. Mathews is now locked in a cell.] Dr. Mathew's: Today's lecture is about energy policy but also energy security. I am in the local jail. It's a tad spartan but it is an important aspect of how we deal with our economy. This is not a new subject, it's not something that was added since September eleventh. We have always been concerned about energy security. When you are in a military combat zone one of the first things you want to do is prevent the other team from moving around. So in doing that you take out their fuel supply. One of the first things we did when we started invading Iraq is to knock out their electricity. It's one of the common things you do. Our energy security is important for our national interests and it is important for our quality of life. These are some of the aspects we are going to deal with. And guys, can I get out of here now. Officer, sir, where are you going. No, over here...please. [Dr. Mathews looks around the cell.] Dr. Mathews: Mommy? [Video fades out]

Our energy supply and systems are intricately connected to our way of life and our national security, and this lesson delves into those connections and better comprehend the energy-related events and circumstances in an ever-changing regional, national, and international landscape.

Lesson Objectives

You'll be successful in this lesson when you can do the following:

  • Articulate oil history with regard to prices and security.
  • Evaluate current energy policies and their potential outcomes and consequences.
  • Identify and suggest potential energy security problems, options, reactions, and consequences.

Wake Up Your Brain

Question: If you were in Europe would you be concerned about access to Russian natural gas?

Yes
No


Click for answer.

ANSWER:
We have a strong desire for cheap energy. One of the reasons for high gasoline costs is due to high oil costs. As oil is internationally traded when there is a security threat (war, terrorism, or economic warfare) the prices rise. Similarly, if there is less fuel available the prices rise. In a cold European winter lack of access to natural gas could kill people. So we do worry about oil access in the U.S., natural gas access elsewhere, and coal in places such as Japan. Putin has cut natural gas supplies to Europe previously and is threatening to do so again (Ukraine crisis). A fuel mixture is always a safer alternative as well as multiple sources.