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American Enterprise Institute Scholar Kenneth Green on the White House proposal to open half of the National Petroleum Reserve to drilling.
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2012.
And gas prices we've been talking about that for some -- now taking a hit on your wallet and on the verge of hitting a new record 2012 will be the most.
Will most likely be the costliest year at the pump ever for consumer so good -- the White House is proposing to open up half of Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve.
Or is this another ploy by the administration to stay in the White House but -- -- Green scholar at AEI American Enterprise Institute.
And environmental scientist good to see you search.
I -- we have you know the Obama administration up.
Opening up half of this 23 million acre petroleum reserve -- half -- -- better than -- While half -- loaf is better than no -- but it's gonna be even better if it's not clawed back in the second term what.
So -- silly idea -- happy complain about this.
Well you can't complain about an entirely that they tried to open up a lot of area and -- to protect the environment as well.
Which is good balanced and attempt to look as if they really believe in all of the above energy policy.
But the reality on the ground if you look at what they've done they have consistently slow walk everything having to do -- them affordable and abundant fuels fossil fuels.
And they have fast track everything having to do with other reliable inexpensive.
-- -- -- -- -- wind and solar power so I wouldn't read too much into this particular act.
Well -- I was wondering if this had anything to do with the election.
And it may be it -- Obama administration wants a look a little friendly or add to this fossil fuel industry what do you say.
Well I say that at this point in the year ever.
They have to do with the election and I think that's exactly what's happening here they want to look as if they're open to things will bring down the gas prices you just mentioned and take the heat off of about consumers when it comes energy prices.
But again if you look at the totality of their actions since they were put brought into office.
It has been exactly the opposite this is a gesture that like I said.
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for these leases to be issued and I wouldn't be at all surprised -- in the second Obama administration to have second thoughts or find some reason to -- the whole thing back.
So you're still at skeptical to -- you think the whole thing will be turned around.
In another Obama administration that's interesting guy pulling some of the day that acting ready for your segment 45% of our oil is in -- it.
Why not make better use of our natural resources that we have right here so that we don't have to deal with countries that maybe don't like us.
Well let's not forget our first biggest source of imported oil -- Canada and -- thirds biggest source of imported oil -- Mexico.
-- you have to go pretty far down list to find countries we import from that really don't like us.
-- but I think your point is exactly right which is if you have domestic resource is there are benefits to domestic resource production.
And affect the US is producing more on private and state lands where the federal government hasn't managed to slow things down.
You know in today's Wall Street Journal former -- secretary of energy predicted that we will be -- net exporter of oil and natural gas by the end of the decade do you agree.
Yes I agree it's is absolutely stunning how.
In only about six years the entire narrative of energy scarcity has turned around -- one of energy plenty.
And again this is still contingent though on the environmentalists not getting to not giving -- billion strangle -- in its in its -- -- over regulating hydraulic fracturing for example.
-- how important will this be to our country if we can.
I've stop relying on other countries develop energy on our around that we use on our out at what will it mean to this country.
Well I think it would -- it would be tremendous increase exports of energy exports and to -- be tremendous increase in jobs employment industry.
And great for the consumer of steel or energy rates and lower energy prices for their homes and their cars.
If you really get things going again it's a very bright spot what a few bright -- the American economy right now is our energy sector and that can only improve as a gross.
Employing a lot of people gas prices 371 compared to 368 year ago.
-- up it's going to be a factor in the election -- thanks for coming -- tonight appreciate it.
