Russia has cut off Oil to western European countries, including a NATO member.
Link to BBCnews Headline: Russia oil row hits Europe supply [1]
Quote:
Russia has cut oil supplies to Poland, Germany and Ukraine amid a trade row with its neighbour Belarus.
End quote.
As US policy has been at a stand still for how many decades? Since the 1970's ?
Why has the US not been building safe efficient modern Nuclear reactors as a bridge to keep the Grid powered and reduce dependence on oil?
France has a long history of operating plants safely. China is ordering new plants as fast as possible. Obviously while these folks have solved their own versions of waste handling, ours still sit in barrels on the shores of Lake Michigan (last I knew).
The US is and has been playing ostrich. Is it because the NIMBY crowd and Environmental Lobby influence are stronger voices than an economic and national defense voice of reason?
Were our decisions based on artificially low oil prices which falsely skewed the cost benefit equations to the point where on the one hand our grid is on the verge of collapse, our existing plant base (both fossil fuel and nuclear) are significantly aged, and the lag time to bring new plant resources on line is burdensome?
The last time Russia used oil as an economic weapon was in the dead of winter, during a Cold Snap. At least this time the temps are milder.
Primer on Oil Reserves: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves [2]
It's interesting to note that Russia is not factored prominently in the overview, while they have reserves that rival the major OPEC players.
How long before Iran decides to follow thru with threats to make like its ally and trading partner Russia?
Perhaps we're 30 years late on coherent productive planning.
There's an old saying in the construction business:
"Failure to properly plan on your part, does not necessarily make it an emergency on my part"
Unfortunately, we're all in this together. If one wants to really study the issues RE the Grid, environmental lobby and NIMBY influence on politics, our collective ship may well be one leak short of sunk.
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