Understanding the Issues 2008: Energy

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You've basically nailed this whole energy argument down in one post.

Who and how can we get big Oil to bring solutions to the table when their profits are just fine the way they are?

By incenting them to invest in other fuel sources, diversifying their product portfolio. As great as oil is doing for them right now, that may not always be the case, and they know this. If they've got another product that they can make money off of, the market risk that big oil's shareholders currently must assume will be partly assuaged by the presence of another basket to hold their financial eggs.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

By incenting them to invest in other fuel sources, diversifying their product portfolio. As great as oil is doing for them right now, that may not always be the case, and they know this. If they've got another product that they can make money off of, the market risk that big oil's shareholders currently must assume will be partly assuaged by the presence of another basket to hold their financial eggs.

You're right, and this has been part of the on going dialogue behind the scenes. I think once this election get's settled, it's all about reaching a happy medium with big Oil, the consumer, and the environment.

Truth is most of these proposals won't be fully implemented before 2030 anyway. So before we even get out the gate, we shouldn't get our hopes up too high.