Pacific Research Institute • Publications • Top Ten Energy Myths

A very interesting list of beliefs people commonly hold about energy.

# Myth: Most of our energy comes from oil.

Reality: Oil represents less than 40 percent of our energy use.

# Myth: Most of our oil comes from the Middle East.

Reality: Two-thirds of our oil comes from North America.

# Myth: We have no choice but to import vast quantities of oil and natural gas.

Reality: The U.S. could significantly reduce imports by expanding domestic production.

# Myth: Offshore oil production poses environmental risks.

Reality: New technology has greatly reduced the risk of oil spills. Reducing oil reservoir pressure through extraction of petroleum will decrease the amount of oil pollution from natural seepage.

# Myth: Reducing our petroleum use through alternative energies will increase U.S. energy security.

Reality: Reducing petroleum use will first reduce domestic production, not production in unstable regions. Renewable technologies are subject to import and price security concerns as well.

# Myth: Energy companies will not invest in clean reliable energy so we need government programs to do so.

Reality: Energy companies are investing huge sums of money to develop cleaner and more reliable sources of energy.

# Myth: Renewable energies will soon replace most conventional energy sources.

Reality: While growing fast in percentage terms, renewable energies are a very small fraction of our energy mix and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

# Myth: The U.S. consumes large amounts of energy and thus emits a disproportionate amount of the world’s greenhouse gases.

Reality: The U.S. uses energy and emits a large portion of the world’s emissions because it produces a large portion of the world’s goods and services.

# Myth: Federal mandates for higher-mileage cars means less energy consumption.

Reality: Increased energy efficiency leads to increased energy use.

# Myth: Forcing drivers to use alternative fuels will help solve global warming.

Reality: Alternative fuels do not necessarily result in lower greenhouse gas emissions.

via Pacific Research Institute • Publications • Top Ten Energy Myths.

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