I find this very interesting and believe it to be the fact. I have been hearing this for many years. Lindsey Williams is the first person to speak out about it. What do you think?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3340274697167011147
BILL
Given the very strong grip that the environmentalists have on the legislative process at this point, there is not reason to doubt author Williams. Effectively the US is highly dependent on foreign oil reserves by fiat, i.e. by virtue of American law that prevents development of N. Slope oil. Also, although the "reindeer" have seemingly thrived in the presence of the oil pipelines, oil pipelines as a means of transmission, either gas or oil, across Alaska, through Canada to the US is also illegal (correct term?); certainly not legally allowed.
In regards to the BnCF of gas being pumped back into the earth, this is a fairly common approach to natural gas storage. One of the largest high-pressure gas oil storage fields in the world is in the lower peninsula of N. Michigan in the Pigeon River area. In fact, at one time, it was the largest such gas storage field in the world. Whether it is now, I cannot say. At any rate, a former associate developed the early computerized controls for this field. In effect, a very non-porous large area is sealed off and its natural seams and caverns are flooded with highly pressurized natural gas. A much smarter oil patch person is welcome to correct this simple explanation.
Finally, in a real-time situation, it can be downright scary to be exposed to the worst effects of the federal government, intended or otherwise. In 1976 I was running a small mfg. plant in Indiana for Goodyear and our source of gas was from NIPSCO, the N. IN Public Service Co. (Aside- my sister later married the son of its President...who knew?).
Back to the story. There was a so-called gas shortage in the winter of 1976-77. Gas flow was controlled by the Federal Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). That was in the good ole' days, when a semi-truck was not allowed to turn right from a highway, but could turn left from that same highway, based on ICC regs...yikes.
NIPSCO held a meeting in Jan 1977 (76?) at the Holiday Inn in LaPorte, IN for all consumers of commercial gas in that area of IN. They announced that commercial gas was being "rationed" and could be used only for heating plants, but not for commercial mfg. purposes, i.e. running a heat treating operation, steel mills, etc. In effect, many were shut down!!! At the rate of drawdown of gas supplies, being allowed into that part of IN by the ICC, via the main pipeline control valves at the MI and IL borders, homes would soon also be cutoff from gas. This was because the gas pressure in the pipelines was nearing zero and normal control systems, esp. a home furnace pilot light would not stay lighted. The sheriff announced that they (deputized gas employees) would go door to door and shut off furnances at homes and padlock the gas supply to the home...this is all true...not second hand, as I was an attendee.
Part Two: Michigan was awash in natural gas at that very time, having just had major finds in what is called the "Reef Trend", in N. Lower MI. But, due to fiat, the ICC had ruled that gas was not allowed to flow into IN from MI (or IL)!!! So was there a shortage??? A resounding no...it was a contrived shortage. I am sorry to lay blame, but our fine President at the time was Carter, and the Feds were wildly out of control, or better yet, overly controlling gasoline and natural gas supplies at that time.
Somehow, and I never learned of the bureaucratic process, the ICC finally relented and "authorized" gas to flow into the NIPSCO system from MI. So what would be a one hour/overnight no-sweat free market decision, was a full blown crises at the Federal level.
I am fully aware that millions of brown armbands were printed up to be used by Federal people to go door to door to check that your home thermostat was not set higher than Federal limits. Knowing the Federal mindset as I do (read congress), they have no doubt not yet been authorized to dispose of those armbands, and I would not be at all surprised if they are in a warehouse somewhere in the US. I was formerly associated with contracts to dispose of excess US materiale, and this was a tightly controlled process.
So while you may think Williams above is a wild-eyed radical, I know all too well that he is, in all probability, presenting very rational, straightforward content.
P.s., fun trivia. The Sr. Manager of the operation to build the pipeline across Alaska to the coastline, later bought out Burger yacht and took one for his own. He supposedly would drive his yacht through wild seas on Lk. MI.
I hope there is not some automated federal blog crawler tool reading this and sending me a guest to meet with me later (semi-facetious).
