War in Ukraine

[Paper_Towel]

 

[OrangeTsar]

The premier of Alberta is pushing for the revival of the Trump-backed Keystone XL oil pipeline to replace Russian imports to the US

"Kenney said the Keystone XL pipeline could be built by the first quarter of 2023 if the Biden administration gives the go ahead, according to Global News. "

this indicates less than one year if it was given the go ahead today - back that up 14 months and it seems plausible it could be online today had it not been quashed.

Ha, we were typing that at about the same time

 

[Paper_Towel]

I'm sure these people deserved it

 

[AM64]

Poland is not taking any chances

Poland really needs to start sweating when Putin starts offering nonaggression pacts with Poland or especially with NATO. Those have never worked out well for Poland.

 

[clarksvol00]

This the Ukraine thread, but I've gotten on a tangent again and Mods feel free to move. The whining about gas/inflation always seems to occur in a vacuum as if none of our prior actions contributed. This isn't just a Biden issue, this is an "us" issue. We are due for a reckoning. (I’ve tried to put back savings in anticipation of this).We've depressed interest rates for almost 15 years. Obama and Trump opposed rate hikes, which kept prices artificially low. We have few restrictions on gouging commodities like gasoline. State governments (yes even republican ones) imposed lockdowns. All these things have set us up for an economic reckoning, but nobody wants to accept the fact that it's everybody's fault, not just the the other guy.

 

[volfanhill]

What steps should the government be taking to lower gas prices immediately? Keystone is a big complaint, but if allowed it would be 2 years before completed. How many untapped domestic leases are available to the oil companies that aren't being used (if any) versus what they claim to need (if any) to lower prices?

There are currently over 9,000 untapped leases on hand.

 

[kiddiedoc]

I'd prefer to see gas prices falling rather than rising. I guess I'm a kindergartener.

Obviously it's a good tiny trend, but try investing in the stock market with that approach.

We are suffering from a huge energy dependence problem in the U.S. now, and there isn't a viable solution in sight. The current admin literally suggested that we stop driving so much and buy EVs.

$3.99 gas is not a sustainable fix. We need to find a very rapid way to get back to an affordable means to get to work, perform work, and transport goods. Otherwise, we are looking at continued skyrocketing costs and business expenses.

 

[clarksvol00]

There are a lot of unused leases, but that is because the actual permits are being slow walked by the administration. A lease is useless until you get the permit to drill. It’s the same as owning a plot of land but having to wait for your building permit.
And the whole “keystone is 2 years away” business? You do realize that if Biden hadn’t canceled it the day of his inauguration, the pipeline would only be nine months away now. Not starting something because it will take time to complete is a terrible life strategy.

Do you have a number of permits being applied on approved leases that are being slow walked? If Keystone were still 9 months away instead if 24 would it be increasing production today? If so, by how much?

 

[AM64]

That’s what we said when Yeltsin took over. The corruption in that land is too deep seated and baked in for that to ever happen. They have no historical precedent on which to base such a culture

That's really true all around the globe; Africa and Central and South America, for example, are a mess, too. People sometimes want to make it racial; it's not; it's cultural. Africa and the Middle East are victims of tribalism. Most of the Americas south of us are victims of corruption the Spanish left there - and catholic style overpopulation - Spain stuck them with that, too. Nobody is perfect by any means, but some just don't seem to be able to dig out of the mess. Communism took decades of toll on the old Soviet countries when they might have been developing. The toll was both years stuck in the mud and building a system where the poor were poor and will stay that way unless the average people decide there's better and they've had enough.

 

[AM64]

I agree with that, but then, we are Westerners. I don't see that Ukraine or certainly Russia share our sensibilities, and there's a principle of symmetrical force. We haven't had a war on this soil in 160 years. When it's on your doorstep and in your living room, there are many fewer rules. I can't in conscience tell Ukraine to observe Western rules of warfare when Putin has them by the neck in their house.

I'm one-sided that Ukraine can defend itself in whatever manner stops the aggression.

When the other guy starts it, he deserves anything he gets. No rules, just win when you are fighting for survival.

 

[clarksvol00]

Obviously it's a good tiny trend, but try investing in the stock market with that approach.

We are suffering from a huge energy dependence problem in the U.S. now, and there isn't a viable solution in sight. The current admin literally suggested that we stop driving so much and buy EVs.

$3.99 gas is not a sustainable fix. We need to find a very rapid way to get back to an affordable means to get to work, perform work, and transport goods. Otherwise, we are looking at continued skyrocketing costs and business expenses.

So far youve stated that gas prices are too high and havent given specifics as to why. What are the specific reasons for the increase? What is your solution? How long will it take to implement those solutions? How long after implementation will it take us to see the economic effects of that solution?

Edit: your stock market comment is ridiculous. You either want gas prices to go up or down. You can't have it both ways.

 

[Paper_Towel]

 

[volinbham]

Do you have a number of permits being applied on approved leases that are being slow walked? If Keystone were still 9 months away instead if 24 would it be increasing production today? If so, by how much?

some info on permits

Drilling permits spiked then plunged under Biden

as for Keystone I'll return to the bigger picture - the consistent message from this administration is to reduce domestic production. Once it was seen that oil prices were rising the response was to try to persuade other countries to increase production with no change in policy domestically. Collectively the effect is to signal to the world market that the US will not be the source of increased production nor will it make it easier for stable country production (eg. Canada) to move their product. The result is that increasing oil demand will not be sourced from stable countries and instead will come from less stable sources.

this puts upward pressure on the price of oil

 

[volfanhill]

some info on permits

Drilling permits spiked then plunged under Biden

as for Keystone I'll return to the bigger picture - the consistent message from this administration is to reduce domestic production. Once it was seen that oil prices were rising the response was to try to persuade other countries to increase production with no change in policy domestically. Collectively the effect is to signal to the world market that the US will not be the source of increased production nor will it make it easier for stable country production (eg. Canada) to move their product. The result is that increasing oil demand will not be sourced from stable countries and instead will come from less stable sources.

this puts upward pressure on the price of oil

Don't see the need for approvals when there are thousands being unused. I am sure there are some better situations that are caught up but I don't think we have an availability problem. Damn near 10,000 already approved sit untapped

 

[0nelilreb]

I'm sure these people deserved it

I understand what she’s saying , but I hope she’s not insinuating those are the same buildings . I don’t think that’s the same area .

 

[OHvol40]

some info on permits

Drilling permits spiked then plunged under Biden

as for Keystone I'll return to the bigger picture - the consistent message from this administration is to reduce domestic production. Once it was seen that oil prices were rising the response was to try to persuade other countries to increase production with no change in policy domestically. Collectively the effect is to signal to the world market that the US will not be the source of increased production nor will it make it easier for stable country production (eg. Canada) to move their product. The result is that increasing oil demand will not be sourced from stable countries and instead will come from less stable sources.

this puts upward pressure on the price of oil

We have GOT to start reducing our oil demands and back alternatives. This is entirely too logical to ignore as a domestic issue. Set goals, secure the funding, let’s get going. Nuclear, wind, solar, tidal… all of it. Our dependence on oil is gonna sink us.

 

[kiddiedoc]

So far youve stated that gas prices are too high and havent given specifics as to why. What are the specific reasons for the increase? What is your solution? How long will it take to implement those solutions? How long after implementation will it take us to see the economic effects of that solution?

My belief is that it is due to a dependence on foreign oil/energy. The current admin has worsened the issue and has no plan in sight.

My answer is that it's not my job to fix it. We have lawmakers in place whose job it is to make sure our country functions and that people are able to work and afford to pursue a life of liberty and happiness.

 

[clarksvol00]

some info on permits

Drilling permits spiked then plunged under Biden

as for Keystone I'll return to the bigger picture - the consistent message from this administration is to reduce domestic production. Once it was seen that oil prices were rising the response was to try to persuade other countries to increase production with no change in policy domestically. Collectively the effect is to signal to the world market that the US will not be the source of increased production nor will it make it easier for stable country production (eg. Canada) to move their product. The result is that increasing oil demand will not be sourced from stable countries and instead will come from less stable sources.

this puts upward pressure on the price of oil

some info on permits

Drilling permits spiked then plunged under Biden

as for Keystone I'll return to the bigger picture - the consistent message from this administration is to reduce domestic production. Once it was seen that oil prices were rising the response was to try to persuade other countries to increase production with no change in policy domestically. Collectively the effect is to signal to the world market that the US will not be the source of increased production nor will it make it easier for stable country production (eg. Canada) to move their product. The result is that increasing oil demand will not be sourced from stable countries and instead will come from less stable sources.

this puts upward pressure on the price of oil

That article seems to have lots of conflicting statements. Do you think Biden is the sole reason for reduced drilling? The statements blaming the administration are from the oil companies while there are statements for the admin encouraging them to drill more. We dont know what may have lead to the alleged permit denials. All this seems to make the issue even more convoluted.

 

[0nelilreb]

We have GOT to start reducing our oil demands and back alternatives. This is entirely too logical to ignore as a domestic issue. Set goals, secure the funding, let’s get going. Nuclear, wind, solar, tidal… all of it. Our dependence on oil is gonna sink us.

Sooo are we more concerned about the environment or or getting clean energy ? There’s your protest as soon as you bring it out for funding . How we are not talking about the rare earth metals , mines , and non recyclables with solar and wind I haven’t figured out yet . You should google what it takes to make solar panels , wind blades and the towers that hold them up , how heavy they are and the amount of diesel fuel it takes to transport them across the country or import them from Canada then down to Arizona , Texas , Oklahoma . Tidal power is interesting but won’t support enough for our grids . Now we are back to Nuclear and huge protests .

 

[clarksvol00]

My belief is that it is due to a dependence on foreign oil/energy. The current admin has worsened the issue and has no plan in sight.

My answer is that it's not my job to fix it. We have lawmakers in place whose job it is to make sure our country functions and that people are able to work and afford to pursue a life of liberty and happiness.

I have used the "I want to rant, but don't want to explain myself or propose solutions" argument at times. Kudos.

 

[kenexcelon]

I think it might had been a mirrored image.

I understand what she’s saying , but I hope she’s not insinuating those are the same buildings . I don’t think that’s the same area .

 

[0nelilreb]

I think it might had been a mirrored image.

That makes sense thank you. It was actually that red building in the back ground that had me puzzled.

 

[kenexcelon]

That makes sense thank you. It was actually that red building in the back ground that had me puzzled.

I was thrown at first as well. Then I looked closer at the top of the building and some other parts in the photo. Then I found that reply… eureka!

 

[OHvol40]

Sooo are we more concerned about the environment or or getting clean energy ? There’s your protest as soon as you bring it out for funding . How we are not talking about the rare earth metals , mines , and non recyclables with solar and wind I haven’t figured out yet . You should google what it takes to make solar panels , wind blades and the towers that hold them up , how heavy they are and the amount of diesel fuel it takes to transport them across the country or import them from Canada then down to Arizona , Texas , Oklahoma . Tidal power is interesting but won’t support enough for our grids . Now we are back to Nuclear and huge protests .

Those are all reasons not to move to alternatives. We’re trying to solve several obvious problems here. The reasons to move toward them: reducing CO2 emissions, oil is a volatile market (that we don’t control), OPEC’s control of oil, becoming truly energy independent, cost efficiency, sustainability, creating new industry, improved public health, stable energy prices, lower maintenance requirements.

Now, I’m not saying there aren’t challenges. Nuclear has a host of challenges. Alternatives aren’t entirely carbon-free (as you point out), there is limited storage capacity at the moment, geography limits some possibilities… I understand all of this, but again in today’s context it makes a whole sh*t ton of sense to make that move and troubleshoot along the way.

 

[AM64]

I was thrown at first as well. Then I looked closer at the top of the building and some other parts in the photo. Then I found that reply… eureka!

The keys are the black and white triangular designs on what look to be equipment at the top of the building - clear in both before and after. The round sign over maybe an entrance down the way, and it looks like part of a destroyed sign on the building in front may still have the "O" and "P" - but backwards.