Energy Security can we afford it to be a second cousin to Homeland Security

Implications: Hofmeister of Shell has outlined a twelve point action plan for achieving energy security, and called for attaching equal significance as given to homeland security. The plan needless to say needs national will, technological and human energy, and major financial investments. It is a pity that for a nation which has bred some of the world's leading thinkers and ideas in policy design and planning has never after the second world war designed a coherent and comprehensive energy plan that gives direction to the executive arm of the government for acjhieving energy security for the country.

Analysis:

The outcome of this plan if accepted by congress, will enable government to define legal sanctions which will make public acceptance of efforts to update its electric transmission system, its oil and gas pipeline systems, locating facilities for gasification, siting of power plants, nuclear plants etc easier.Since treating Energy Security at par with homeland security will give sweeping powers to the Government to suppress democratic movements like Greenpeace, climate change, and environmental activism, the policy planners and legal experts have to be careful in defining the limits.However there are many positives in the 12 point action plan suggested, for example a comprehensive and coherent plan for development of coal resources of the country including coal gasification, access to petroleum and gas resources of the nation and the world, proper financial support for the technologies of the future etc. Shell's 12-point plan addresses energy supply, energy demand, and environment. It was compiled after Shell executives visited 50 US cities in 18 months in what the company called "A National Dialogue on Energy Security." Hofmeister is meeting individually with US presidential candidates to discuss the plan, which calls for: Greater access to conventional oil and gas in and off the US. Development of unconventional oil and gas resources, particularly oil shale in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.