August 6, 2008
Discuss Wednesday's commentary and letters
On the downside of oil's peak
Edwin S. Robinson
Robinson, of Catawba, is an emeritus professor of geophysics in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech.
Why are fuel prices rising? To a large extent the price is set by supply and demand. The following discussion is about supply. I became interested in the sustainability of crude oil supply about 30 years ago, when I began discussing this subject in geology classes I was teaching at Virginia Tech. At that time, analysis of oil production was a well-established field of study.
Read more.
Speak out on Smith Mountain Lake's level
Bill Reidenbach
Reidenbach is a resident of Penhook.
If you are happy with the way Smith Mountain Lake's water level is managed, end of story. If you don't know how the water level is managed, shame on you. If you want water level managed differently, speak up. The commonwealth is going to change the water release protocol that manages the lake level for better or worse. The impact will affect the next 30 to 50 years of lake operation. You get a voice Thursday at Gretna High School.
Read more.
Read Wednesday's letters here.
Comments
[August 6, 2008 9:23 AM]
Ed S.Re: "On the downside of oil's peak"
Interesting article. I'm initially skeptical of the figures, and my view relies heavily on the definition of "production". If production means the amount of oil pumped out of the ground, I don't see a direct tie between production and total volume of oil, or see how it can be an indicator of "peak oil". Production relies heavily on factors that are wholly un-natural and unrelated to reserve supply: political. These include laws forbidding drilling in certain areas, or certain groups reducing production to maintain higher prices.
But I have no doubts that oil is a limited resource, and the demands are increasing as humans foolishly believe reproduction and global industrialization are such great ideas. People should also realize that oil is used for more than just fuel, although that is probably the largest product by far.
So while I may not agree with the wording or method, I do agree that it is a limited resource and will be the factor in a likely major resource war in the future. The question of "when" is not yet determined. However, the "who" is pretty clear...and clear also is the fact that the US may not be prepared to easily come out on top in such a conflict.