In a series of editorials published in the Houston Chronicle, former Shell President John Hofmeister is a voice of reason in a sea of misinformation being spread by officials of the current administration. Today, Hofmeister heads up Citizens for Affordable Energy. But will he be a catalyst for action or another Cassandra warning a public already desensitized by unkept promises of hope and change?

Hofmeister paints an even-handed picture of the America that could exist under a reasonable energy policy, a goal that has eluded us for decades. His position is clear. Unless we do something, now, the nation is going to slide down a slippery slope to mediocrity. Hofmeister predicts, “Grass-roots Americans will ask themselves, ‘How did this happen? What’s with this third world Venezuela-like problem? Who did this to us?’”

The administration presents a paradox of promises made but actions lacking. The mouth speaks, but the hands reveal the true agenda. The impotent Congress is, as ever, hedging its bets by trying to please everyone, and by so doing pleases no one. Currying favor to win re-election, both sides have lost the moral compass that guided our forefathers to make the tough choices that enabled almost 250 years of unprecedented economic growth.

America’s global leadership was enabled by energy. But it is today endangered by the lack of a practical national energy policy. Not some pipe dream of boundless, cheap energy, but a realistic plan for the future.

Hofmeister’s warning is echoed by others who convened in Houston for CERA Week. The consensus: Develop a broad spectrum of energy resources without delay, invest in renewables, but wisely. Don’t expect windmills to replace wells. Don’t expect solar panels to replace nuclear plants. Don’t expect foolish fantasies to take the place of fossil fuels.

Even with the most modern technology available, it takes many years to develop an oil field. Every delay and obfuscation imposed by the Interior Department or the Department of Energy, pushes the energy solution farther into the future. Somehow, the American public has bought the big lie that by some miracle we are going to rid ourselves of the necessity to import foreign oil or gas.

The message to the folks in Washington must be loud and clear. Make the choices today that will ensure America’s future tomorrow, or face the consequences in November. Make Hofmeister’s call to action a catalyst, not another unheeded harbinger of disaster. If you missed them, you can read John Hofmeister’s well-reasoned arguments on www.chron.com (March 7th and March 14th editions).

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Production—part of the solution

Remarks by the leaders of energy companies and the large integrated service and supply corporations that support them are cautiously optimistic. Predictions vary on when the light at the end of the tunnel will be bright enough to show us the way out of the current economic slowdown. But things are definitely looking up. Lots of new technology is on the horizon that will improve recovery factors, or recovery rates, or both.

The world’s biggest oil show will convene for the 41st time in Houston on May 3, and it promises to be more exciting than ever. The exhibits formerly housed in Reliant Stadium have been moved to the Reliant Arena to provide more exhibit space with easier access for visitors.

With production as part of the solution, producers will want to preview what new technology or technique is on the horizon that addresses their specific needs to boost the flow of oil or gas. A fellow told me the other day, “I don’t go to the OTC. We only have land production.” I told him that he must have missed the last 10 to 15 years of the show then because there are probably just as many land-applicable solutions on display as offshore ones. If you’re a landlubber, just skip the displays of subsea trees, anchors and heave compensators, and you’ll find plenty to interest you. Who knows? You might find just the solution to your production problems. Don’t have any problems? Call Washington, they’ll give you plenty of them.