The Great Confused Energy Debate...

Much of the problem with our energy policy is energy ignorance. Most of us rely on intuitive or emotional responses to the complex problem of energy production and consumption, but a little hard information may force re-evaluation.

F'rinstance, while I have written about the perception that all our imported oil comes from the Mideast, in fact only about 1/6 does. Our biggest suppliers are our neighbors to the north and south.

Surprisingly, the U.S. is the third largest oil producing country in the world and the U.S. imports the most oil from Canada and Mexico. Bottom line, the “red states” politically produce energy while the “blue states” consume. If all energy and power were converted to BTUs, the state of Wyoming would produce more than Saudi Arabia.

Now for another shocker. Big Oil's profit margin is less than Big Biotech, Big Software, Big Food, etc.

But wait! There is more: Hummers are better for the environment than hybrids. Really.

The problem with our energy policy is not politics - it's math skills.