Economic development has always depended on access to affordable and reliable energy. Every country that has escaped poverty has first developed the ability to produce food efficiently, transport goods, build industries, educate its people, and provide modern healthcare. Without electricity and transportation fuels, none of these become possible.
Before discussing Net Zero, the world should first ask how billions of people can achieve a decent standard of living without the transportation fuels and products made from crude oil that now support our materialistic society.
Resilience
Regarding the resilience of maintaining the supply chain of diesel fuel to meet the demands of the world, it may take years to replenish the supply chain of diesel fuel.
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With the recent wartime loss of Russian and Gulf refining capabilities and the loss of 2 California refineries and the probable closure of more California refineries, diesel fuel shortages may persist for years until damaged refineries are repaired or new refineries built.
Unfortunately, the high impact of California's relentless over regulations on its in-State refineries will continue a reduction in the production of diesel fuel and more and will perpetuate the unaffordability of all transportation fuels for years to come.
Every option for refineries to manufacture transportation fuels from raw crude oil must demonstrate reliability, affordability, feasibility, and acceptable environmental impact.
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About the Authors
Ronald Stein is co-author of the Pulitzer Prize nominated book Clean Energy Exploitations.
He is a policy advisor on energy literacy for the Heartland Institute,
and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, and a national TV
commentator on energy & infrastructure with Rick Amato.
Jason Hayes is a senior research fellow with the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment.