Jerry A. McBeath - Energy Resources

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E NERGY R ESOURCES

Examining the Facts

Jerry A. McBeath

Contemporary Debates

Copyright 2022 by ABC-CLIO, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: McBeath, Jerry A., author.

Title: Energy resources : examining the facts / Jerry A. McBeath.

Description: 1st edition. | Santa Barbara, California : ABC-CLIO, [2022] | Series: Contemporary debates | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022012411 (print) | LCCN 2022012412 (ebook) | ISBN 9781440869419 (cloth) | ISBN 9781440869426 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Energy policyUnited States. | Fossil fuelsUnited StatesEnvironmental aspects. | Renewable energy sourcesUnited States.

Classification: LCC HD9502.U52 M3916 2022 (print) | LCC HD9502.U52 (ebook) | DDC 333.790973dc23/eng/20220405

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022012411

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022012412

ISBN: 978-1-4408-6941-9 (print)

978-1-4408-6942-6 (ebook)

26 25 24 23 22 1 2 3 4 5

This book is also available as an eBook.

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This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America

Contents

Acknowledgments

My interest in the broad subject of energy resources began about 40 years ago when undertaking a summer project for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The departments research office wanted a broad survey of oil and gas, coal and other hard rock minerals, as well as gravel and water resources of the Alaska North Slope. In the ensuing years, projects on Alaska energy and other natural resources as well as broader nationwide studies engaged me. My most recent book was Big Oil in the United States , published by Praeger in 2016.

Because this volume centers on important questions of energy and environmental policy, I sought advice from knowledgeable scholars. Most referred me to their works, and these are cited copiously in the volume. I want to thank specifically three friends who helped craft questions for a general audience: Dr. Milt Wiltse, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (and former state geologist); Terrence C. Cole, emeritus professor of Public History, University of Alaska Fairbanks; and Mary A. Nordale, lawyer (former Alaska Commissioner of Revenue), also of Fairbanks.

Because writing takes time away from family, I want to thank my spouse Jenifer (professor of plant pathology and biotechnology, UAF), son Bowen (professor of social work and public policy, Portland State University), daughter Rowena (MD, partner, Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center and assistant professor, Thomas Jefferson University), and son-in-law David Zilkha, principal of the Zilkha family office. In different ways each provided valuable sounding boards for ideas and interesting diversions when needed.

At ABC-CLIO, my sincere thanks go to Kevin Hillstrom, Senior Acquisitions Editor, who patiently advised me throughout the project. I am grateful for the work Kristen Beach did in marketing the book, and for the assistance of Nicole Azze, Senior Production Editor, ABC-CLIO. Jitendra Kumar, Senior Project Manager, Westchester Publishing Services; and Gary Morris, Copyeditor, went through the manuscript painstakingly, and brought to light more typos and errors than can be mentioned quickly.

Of course, any remaining errors or omissions are my responsibility alone.

How to Use This Book

Energy Resources: Examining the Facts is part of ABC-CLIOs Contemporary Debates reference series. Each title in this series, which is intended for use by high school and undergraduate students as well as members of the general public, examines the veracity of controversial claims or beliefs surrounding a major political/cultural issue in the United States. The purpose of this series is to give readers a clear and unbiased understanding of current issues by informing them about falsehoods, half-truths, and misconceptionsand confirming the factual validity of other assertionsthat have gained traction in Americas political and cultural discourse. Ultimately, this series has been crafted to give readers the tools for a fuller understanding of controversial issues, policies, and laws that occupy center stage in American life and politics.

Each volume in this series identifies 3040 questions swirling about the larger topic under discussion. These questions are examined in individualized entries, which are in turn arranged in broad subject chapters that cover certain aspects of the issue being examined, for example, history of concern about the issue, potential economic or social impact, or findings of latest scholarly research.

Each chapter features 410 individual entries. Each entry begins by stating an important and/or well-known Question about the issue being studiedfor example, Do some experts expect renewables to account for the majority of American energy consumption by 2045? Are partisan political considerations increasingly dictating how federal agencies and departmentsincluding those related to the energy industryoperate and who leads them? Have oil and gas exploration and development reduced critical habitat of endangered species in the United States?

The entry then provides a concise and objective one- or two-paragraph Answer to the featured question, followed by a more comprehensive, detailed explanation of The Facts . This latter portion of each entry uses quantifiable, evidence-based information from respected sources to fully address each question and provide readers with the information they need to be informed citizens. Importantly, entries will also acknowledge instances in which conflicting or incomplete data exists or legal judgments are contradictory. Finally, each entry concludes with a Further Reading section, providing users with information on other important and/or influential resources.