Imagine an energy plan that would provide a fixed cost to gasoline at about $3 gallon, stop the dependence on foreign oil, give the US control over its own destiny and at the same time raise hundreds of billions of dollars annually to accelerate the development of alternate/sustainable energy, pay down the national debt, shore up the SS system and NOT COST AMERICANS A PENNY IN TAXES. That’s right, NO TAXES, guaranteed gas prices, and billions of dollars to fund much needed projects. This is not a short term fix; it will provide both SHORT-TERM AND LONG TERM SOLUTIONS.

• FIX THE PRICE OF GAS AT $3 GAL
• PROVIDE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS (NOT THROUGH TAXES)
• BREAK RELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL (COMPLETELY)
• ENCOURAGE CONSERVATION / REDUCE OIL USE
• CONTROL HIGH OIL PRICES NEGATIVE IMPACT ON COST-OF-LIVING
• CONTROL INFLATION DUE TO OIL PRICES
• (No grants, bailouts or loans…Invested aid!)
• AID THE AILING AUTO INDUSTRY – Alternate fuel vehicle development
• (No grants, bailouts or loans…Invested aid!)
• ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATE/SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
• SUPPORT A STRONGER NATIONAL DEFENSE (WE CONTROL OUR OIL)
• BREAK OPEC STRONGHOLD
• PROVIDE FUNDS FOR COAL-TO-CLEAN-OIL PRODUCTION
• FUND MULTIPLE NATIONAL PROJECTS SIMULTANEOUSLY
• COMPLETE A PROJECT THEN START A NEW ONE
• (i.e.: National Health / Border Fences / Etc.)
• NO MORE WARS OVER (real or imagined) OIL
• SELF SUSTAINING FUNDING OF PROJECTS
• NO TAXES

• A STRONGER DOLLAR
• PAYOFF OF NATIONAL DEBT
• FIX THE CURRENT SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM
• REPLACE THE CURRENT SYSTEM FOR NEW WORKERS
• SELF FUNDING OVER TIME
• TAXES FROM DRILLING LEASES

• IRREVOCABLE TRUST FUND - PRIVATELY MANAGED
• NO LOBBYISTS OR SPECIAL INTERESTS
• NO POLITICAL APPOINTEES
• COMMITTEE MUST NOT BE TIED TO OIL / ENVIRONMENT / POLITICS
• COMMITTEE MUST BE TIED TO CEOs / CFOs / CITIZENS / ECONOMISTS
• SELLING OIL TO OTHER COUNTRIES
• (eventually – when supply grows and demand dwindles)
• NO NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS
• NO PORK IN THIS… NO SPECIAL INTERESTS, NO HIDDEN PROJECTS
• TRUST FUNDS MORE – GOVERNMENT FUNDS LESS – TAXES GO DOWN
• NON-PARTISAN
• ALL FUNDS TO US COMPANIES

The concept of this plan seems very logical and simple in its execution. It is. There is a lot of leeway in the plan but once it is setup it should be ‘etched-in-stone’!

The people of the United States get a better environment, stable gas prices, alternate/renewable energy development (better and faster), a stronger dollar, a stronger economy, lower national debt, and stronger national defense and more money in their pockets from a strong economy.

The Liberals/Democrats get higher gas prices (guaranteed), a reduction in gas consumption (due to higher prices), and an alternative/renewable energy development program (fully funded).

The Conservatives/Republicans get a domestic policy they can live with, a ceiling on the gas prices, a stronger dollar, a stronger economy, lower national debt, and stronger defense. They get money staying in the US instead of being sent to the Middle East and South America. And they provide proof that the wars in the Middle East weren’t “just for the oil”.

The environmentalists get to see a stop to the support of irresponsible foreign oil drilling where old technologies and no environmental concerns exist. They get a huge increase in funding for the development of alternative/renewable energy, and they get enough money to fund true alternative/renewable alternatives in half the time expected now.

Natural Resources Defense Council: “America's dependence on oil is a threat to our national security and our economy. Growing demand and shrinking domestic production means America is importing more and more oil each year - much of it from the world's most unfriendly or unstable regions. We spend more than $200,000 per minute -- $13 million per hour -- on foreign oil, and more than $25 billion a year on Persian Gulf imports alone.1 By October 2004, Americans had shelled out $249 per capita to foreign oil-interests.” 1

Meet with environmentalists, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the people, etc… and get them all on board. No one can oppose this plan because it provides everything to everyone. EVERYBODY WINS!

- Stop paying foreign fuel companies $3 - $4 Gallon
- Drill – Build Refineries – Build nuclear reactors
SEE BENEFITS TO ALL BELOW
Environmentally sensitive methods
Clean coal to Oil – develop a better system
Build fund to develop alternative/sustainable fuels - Everyone wins!
Control for responsible energy (no over-regulating)
-Setup irrevocable trust fund – for monies from oil and/gas sales
-Sell gas for a fixed price – For example: Actual cost per gallon should be about
$1.25-1.50 per gallon but the US sets the price where it won’t break the backs of the American people but will bring in a windfall of money to the CEDP. THIS IS NOT A TAX; it is a trust account to accelerate the production of alternate/renewable energy/fuels, pay down national debt and shore up and/or start a new Social Security System.  If gas is set, for example, to $3 per gallon, it would be bearable for everyone. Compared to the $4 - $5 gallon we are now paying, it will be downright cheap!

The difference between the $1.25-$1.50 for production and the $3.00 cost goes into a “Domestic Energy Trust Fund” that then gets used for various programs. (PRE-DEFINED and NOT in the general fund.) 

(Based on today’s expenditures on foreign oil of $700B annually, the account should accumulate an estimated $350B in the first year alone.)
- US increase in need of 28% by 2030 – the US should be energy independent by 2018.  This, in conjunction with alternate/renewable energy, will put the US in the forefront of energy production and alternative/renewable energy sources.
- US made equipment must be used for drilling – Pumping more dollars into the US economy!
- Alternate/renewable energy development (Explore every possibility!) - Clean coal to oil production / Hydrogen / Wind / Solar / Nuclear
- Export oil/gas – Only after our needs (including a small surplus) are satisfied.  Exports include money for the fund.

We STOP sending money by the billions to foreign countries for a commodity we can readily produce at home.

We STOP sending money to foreign countries, many of whom are our enemies.

We take control of drilling in an environmentally responsible manner

We maintain a price of about $3 gallon We secure the US and strengthen the dollar.

We use the dollar amount otherwise sent out of the country (the difference between full production, refinement, taxes, etc.) to set up a trust fund, and use that money to strengthen the US.

Government still collects lease agreement monies.

Develop an irrevocable Trust Fund (i.e., NO MONIES GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND) for all monies generated from all sources.  Monies go into a trust fund and are earmarked for 3 purposes. (These can and likely will be adjusted as one project is ‘completed’.)

1) Development of alternative/renewable energy 1/3 of Fund can be used to develop alternative/sustainable energy Monies are not grants but rather investment of funds i.e.: Company developing Hydrogen powered cars invests $50 Billion in their project but needs $50B more to hasten/complete the project. The Fund ‘invests’ 50B (1/2 the amount of the total project). Having invested ½ the project need, the fund will now own ¼ of the profits.) The numbers can be adjusted from those outlined above – they are just a guideline. However, once the percentages of ownership are decided, they are the same for all investments.

2) Pay down the national debt (Limited time – preset in time and amount!) Set a specific maximum $ amount to MATCH the US government pay down. i.e.: National debt drops by 100B fund will match it with 100B. National debt pay down for limited number of years (ie: 5 years) Amount of pay down never more than 1/3 of fund After the goal is met, the 1/3 of the fund can be redirected to other projects.

3) Social Security (shores up and/or starts a new system for new workers) – 1/3 of the fund (from all sources) is invested into a new SS system. Ie: for a new SS fund, only new workers (first-time on the payroll) get placed in the new SS system. 1/3 of the monies get placed into the new TRUST FUND for SS. This gives an enormous amount of money going into a fund that will not be drawn on for (est.) 40 years. The fund gets billions of dollars deposited and compound interest over 40 years to fund retirees. Social security monies go into a trust fund for use ONLY FOR SS – NO FUNDS GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S GENERAL FUND. (Other ideas are to fund initially or after programs have expired, are the purchase of land preserves that would replace the ANWR land used for drilling, national healthcare for children, child’s retirement trust fund, mass transit, bridge and tunnel infrastructure repairs, etc.)

We must recognize that preventing US energy production is counter-productive, ineffective and downright dangerous. For example the last refineries built in the US were built in 1976.  Would you go to a hospital that was built in 1976, using 1976 equipment and 1976 technology? 

Environmentalists must recognize that sending money to Middle East and South American and other foreign countries is only contributing to and supporting poor drilling and environmental practices.  Better to do it in a fashion we can control rather than blindly sending money to the Middle East.  The use of oil will not be gone any time soon, so why not have control over it now rather than saying we are protecting the environment while buying oil from countries that do not have the regulations we have?  By buying foreign we may be naively protecting the US while doing irreparable damage to foreign lands in which we have no regulatory power.  Better to take control and protect than to allow others to pollute. 

We must recognize that preventing US energy production is counter-productive, ineffective and downright dangerous.  For example, environmental groups oppose nuclear energy and are espousing doom and nuclear accidents.  At the same time, they are forcing the US to be 30 years behind in nuclear reactors, and at the same time preventing us from building updated and state-of-the-art reactors.  This is destined to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  By building new state-of-the-art nuclear reactors, we will be using the cleanest and safest power available. 

Coal is still our major source of electrical power.  There are many more accidents and deaths in coal mining accidents then in nuclear accidents.

USA Today Snapshot (July, 2008)
Nearly 24% of the worlds 439 nuclear plants are in the US – however, they do not provide nearly enough of our overall energy use.

The people:

Pay a reasonable amount for gas with a high/low preset. 
Set up trust fund to:
            Develop alternate/renewable energy,
            Paying down the national debt
            Increasing the value of the dollar
            Fund social security.
US becoming energy independent
US energy production will be the safest and most state-of-the-art of any country.
                        Stop sending money to foreign countries, many of whom are not friendly to the US.
                                    The money (an est. $700 Billion) stays in the US.
                        Alternative/renewable energy patents, etc., will be owned by US companies.
                                    This can put the US in the forefront of worldwide energy development.

Environmentalists:

US maintains control over responsible drilling.
                                    End any purchasing from irresponsible drillers
                                    Control over the refinement process
                                    High tech state-of-the-art equipment
                        Increased funding for development of alternative/renewable energy solutions
                                    This could result in hundreds of billions of dollars for development
                        Time-to-market for alternative/renewable energy solutions greatly decreased
                        Price guaranteed at (e.g.) $3 Gal (encourages conservation)   

                        Responsible Fuel Acquisition –
Oil drilling worldwide
We are leaving it to foreign nations to ‘be responsible’ in their drilling, handling, shipping and refining of oil.  We do not hold them to the same standard we hold our US companies.

                        Prices – Environmentalists believe that low prices encourage waste
This plan provides a guaranteed limit to minimum price.  (i.e.: fix the price at $3 gal.)  Not high enough to break the backs of the people but high enough to increase funds for research, paying down national debt, bailing out SS.

Democrats/Liberals:

Trust Fund:
                                    Develop alternative/renewable energy
                                    Pay down debt – increase value of the dollar
                                    Bail out & fund SS
                        Guaranteed control over responsible drilling.
                                    End any purchasing from irresponsible drillers
                                    Control over the refinement process
                                    High tech – state-of-the-art equipment
                        Increased funding for development of alternate/renewable energy solutions
                                    This could result in hundreds of billions of dollars for development
                        Time-to-market for alternate/renewable energy solutions greatly decreased
                        Price guaranteed at (e.g.) $3 Gal (encourages conservation)               

Get back in step with the new world of post 9/11. 
The US should not be putting billions into the hands of our enemies. 
The US should not be allowing environmentally irresponsible drillers from
foreign countries to supply the US with ANY fuel. 
The US should support the development of alternative/renewable energy.
The US should decrease the national debt and shore up the value of the dollar
Failing to allow drilling in ANWR

Republicans/Conservatives:

Trust Fund:
                                    Develop alternate/renewable energy
                                    Pay down debt – increase value of the dollar
                                    Bail out & fund SS
                        Guaranteed control over responsible drilling.
                                    Domestic Oil production
                                    Use of natural resources we have but cannot currently use
                                    End dependency on foreign oil
                                    End the spending of hundreds of billions of dollars outside the US
                                    Builds US refineries (If fund monies are used, the fund gets a share of the profit.)
                                    High tech – state of the art equipment developed and made in the US
                        Increased funding for development of alternate/renewable energy solutions
                                    This could result in Billions of dollars for development
                        Time-to-market for alternate/renewable energy solutions greatly decreased
                        Price guaranteed at $3 Gal – prevents runaway inflation            
                        Proves Iraq war was not for oil
                        Increased funding for development of alternate/renewable energy solutions
This could result in Billions of dollars for development and partial ownership of profits from the developers the fund supports.
                        Time-to-market for alternate/renewable energy solutions greatly decreased
                        Stop funding of enemy and rogue states
                        No foreign oil imports – reduces the need for oil produced as a result of war.
Guaranteed limit to minimum and maximum price for fuel.
(Ie. fix the price at $3 gal. or thereabouts) 
            Not high enough to break the backs of the people but high enough to increase funds for research, paying down national debt, bailing out SS.
Allows for drilling in ANWR
            We have, as President Bush noted, an estimated capacity of a million barrels of oil a day from this source alone -- enough for 27 million gallons of gas and diesel. But Congress won't touch it, fearful of the clout of the environmental lobby. As a result, the people pay through the nose at the pump so their representative can raise campaign cash

Environmental Discrepancy:

Why as an environmentalist would one possibly trust others to drill in a responsible manner?  The environment is not on their radar.  Their governments don’t control them the way we do.

Wouldn’t it be better and more environmentally responsible to take control of the drilling by doing it ourselves?

For Example:

Total proven reserves of these countries, 198 billion barrels, is 70 percent lower than Persian Gulf reserves, with only 30 years of remaining reserves at 2003 production levels. In comparison, the Persian Gulf has almost 100 years of proven reserves at 2003 production levels. All the major alternative/renewable players face significant political and social instability and remain porous to global terrorism, making it difficult to attract foreign investments necessary to increase production.1

Take Nigeria: Nigeria currently supplies the United States with 11 percent of daily imports. The West African nation has been wracked with political and environmental strife since it declared independence from Britain in 1960, and remains seriously unstable today. Recent rebel activity spurred Shell Oil to evacuate employees and drove oil to record highs. Nigeria currently produces approximately 2.2 million barrels per day and holds three percent of world oil reserves.1.

Or Venezuela: The United States receives 13 percent of its daily oil imports from Venezuela, slightly less than our imports from Saudi Arabia. This South American country has faced numerous labor and street demonstrations in recent years. Leftist President Hugo Chavez has cracked down on such activities, but at one point in 2002 even he was forced to flee the presidential palace for the security of a military base. A second general strike is late 2002 and early 2003 involved 18,000 workers for the state oil company, causing jittery markets and price spikes. More recently, Chavez suddenly increased taxes on foreign oil producers from one percent to 17 percent, claiming that "We are no longer going to give away our oil." Venezuela produces 2.99 million barrels of oil per day and holds 6.8 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. 1

Or Russia: Although Russia supplies only 1.5 percent of our daily imports, it produces 11.4 percent of the world's oil, pumping out 8.5 million barrels per day. Political squabbles and market uncertainty surrounding the criminal indictment of Yukos Oil, one of Russia's largest producers, rocked the market this year. Today Russia holds six percent of the worlds proven oil reserves, however most of that oil is trapped in Siberia, and it is doubtful Russia's production would ever exceed that of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the instability and hostility fueled by Russia's military involvement with Chechnya, Georgia, and other lower Republics is deeply rooted in the struggle over oil pipelines to the Persian Gulf, a conflict that will continue to complicate Russia's potential as a supplier of oil. 1

1 http://www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/aoilpolicy2.asp