New Report Debunks Top Energy Myths

Jane Van Ryan
Posted November 13, 2009

Last week, the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) released a report--"Top Ten Energy Myths"--that confronts ten common myths about America's energy sources, uses and risks, utilizing U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.

Some excerpts from the report:

• Myth: We have no choice but to import vast quantities of oil and natural gas.
• Reality: The U.S. could significantly reduce imports by expanding domestic production.

• Myth: Offshore oil production poses environmental risks.
• Reality: New technology has greatly reduced the risk of oil spills. Reducing oil reservoir pressure through extraction of petroleum will decrease the amount of oil pollution from natural seepage.

• Myth: Energy companies will not invest in clean reliable energy so we need government programs to do so.
• Reality: Energy companies are investing huge sums of money to develop cleaner and more reliable sources of energy.

The report's author, Thomas Tanton, senior fellow in Energy Studies at the PRI, says:

"There is a plethora of unexplored options for securing energy in America through domestic sources, but misled confidence in renewable technologies and increased efficiency are hampering common-sense energy policy...Energy policy must be based on facts, not myths."

For more information read the full PRI report.