Congresswoman Giffords Holds Briefing at UA
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords held an energy policy briefing at the UA on Monday afternoon to talk about the myths and realities related to energy costs across the United States.
The panel of experts included, left to right, former regional geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Wesley Ward, UA Eller College of Management Dean Paul R. Portney, and Joaquin Ruiz, dean of the UA's College of Science.
UA officials were part of a panel that U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords formed to talk about important national and global issues related to energy and energy policy.
National and global energy policy issues were key topics of discussion at a policy briefing U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her staff organized at The University of Arizona on Monday afternoon.
Giffords, D-Ariz., invited numerous energy experts from the UA and across the nation to talk about overconsumption of oil and the need for more conservation efforts and reliance on alternative energy sources.
Given the cost of gas prices and electricity, the declining dollar and the general economic troubles that are facing the nation, it is important that "elected officials, such as myself, have a chance to really understand the truth about our energy situation,” said Giffords, who spent time in Oro Valley earlier in the day to kick off a lecture series on issues related to conservation.
Attendees at the event, “Energy Crisis Myths and Realities: Working Toward Common Sense Solutions,” included UA President Robert N. Shelton, community members, numerous representatives from government agencies and industry officials.
“Right now, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about oil and oil prices," UA College of Science Dean Joaquin Ruiz said to a packed room. While noting that some believe that the U.S. has reached its peak consumption, Ruiz said the time of “$40 for a barrel of oil” will not return.
He even emphasized that no indicators exist that the cost will drop below $100 per barrel.
“There is much to think about,” said Ruiz, who is also a fellow with the Geological Society of America and a member of the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science.
The panel also addressed solar energy and other energy sources.
Giffords said, “I think here in Arizona we have the corner market when it comes to the sun. We can lead in solar power.”
The group also talked about the options in drilling for oil and the needs to conserve, to rely more readily on alterative sources of energy, to expand research on those sources and to develop technologies to improve energy efficiency. Panelists also discussed environmental concerns, particularly surrounding the use of nuclear power.
The other panelist were:
Paul R. Portney, dean of the UA’s Eller College of Management. Portney is also the college’s Halle Chair in Leadership and is a professor of economics.
Stewart L. Udall, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and who is credited with helping to pass legislation that expanded and supported the nation’s federally designated parks.
Matthew R. Simmons, president of Simmons & Company International. Simmons’ independent investment bank helps energy companies with financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings.
Reginal Spiller, executive vice president for exploration and production at the Houston-based Frontera Resources. Spiller also served as the U.S. Department of Energy’s deputy assistant secretary for gas and petroleum technologies.
Wesley Ward formerly served as chief scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey’s astrogeology program, which is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He is currently the United States Geological Survey’s regional executive for geology in the western region.
Portney said the nation must do a number of things while also being aware of certain concerns, such as supporting tighter fuel economy standards, reducing reliance on petroleum and also figuring out a way to generate electricity to sustain needs today and into the future. This is important, he said, for two reasons: the issue of national security and because the nation is using about 21 million barrels of oil today and importing about 60 percent of the demand.
“We’re exporting dollars to other countries,” he said. “This is a principal reason why the dollar is so weak.”
On the issue of national security, Portney pointed out that among the nations the U.S. relies on most for its oil, countries like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Iraq are among the top 10.
Ward’s main arguments were that the nation needed to improve energy efficiency, limit the undesirable effects associated with energy consumption and increase conservation. He also said the nation must develop “new and improved technologies” for conservation. “We are energy hungry, but it will take time,” Ward said.
The general consensus was that the nation was behind on attempting to figure out ways to address energy policy issues, but that the time is ripe for strategy and action.
Simmons, speaking by phone, said: “It’s time to stop the debate and come up with a solution.”
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