Comments about ‘Environmental group opposes tapping energy from oil shale, tar sands’

In my opinion, and I've been in the exploration business for 35 years, there is no need to develop the shale oil and tar sands that lie in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. There may be money in it for some of the explorationists, but I completely agree with the assessment noted in the article that even with large-scale operations and fuel production, not much of an impact at all would be made in satisfying the daily energy demands of our natioin, but significant, irreversible damage would be done to Utah's natural resources.

It doesn't make sense to strip-mine our state for gasoline. We could be an exporter of renewable energy, which is more abundant here than oil shale and tar sands.

It really comes down to who Herbert will side with--a few vested interests in the fossil fuel lobby or the citizens of Utah and future posterity.

Either one could come out a winner. I hope he chooses to put the people of the state first.

There aught to be some give and take. Stopping oil well production where proven reserves exist, while prohibiting all other forms of oil extraction seems to be rather close minded.

Our nation and the world cannot run on nice scenery alone. It seems logical to me that the land is meant to be developed as needed to support mankind. Where do companies who put men to work and feed families turn, when extremism prevails.

It doesn't make sense to strip-mine our state for gasoline. We could be an exporter of renewable energy, which is more abundant here than oil shale and tar sands.

It really comes down to who Herbert will side with--a few vested interests in the fossil fuel lobby or the citizens of Utah and future posterity.

Either one could come out a winner. I hope he chooses to put the people of the state first.

Majority: When did the earth stop making natural gas, coal, and oil. Can you pinpoint a year? I would like to know why so we actually determine that these are not renewable.

I drive by the windmills in Spanish Fork daily. They are sure ugly. They absolutely destroy the view. They are also very inefficient and expensive to maintain. How is that good for the State?

They also don't pay anything into the school trust funds that other mineral development does. So how is that good for Utah?

Nice press release.

I have a hard time believing that the oil shale and tar sands of UT and CO can't contribute significantly to energy needs of the country. After all, Canada is our biggest supplier of oil, and (according to Wikipedia...) 44% of that oil comes from tar sands!

That being said, I can't imagine that we would have enough water to develop it to the level that Canada has, and it is the WORST source of energy there is as far as effect on the environment.

I guess what I'm saying is, that everyone needs to be involved in order to make decisions that are best for everyone now and in the future.

Danish American:
Any grasp of scientific principles? The earth may still be making fossil fuels, but it happens at such an incredibly low rate compared to our consumption that it might as well not be producing any at all.

You think the windmills are ugly? Have you seen a strip mine? I will take windmills any day.

Oil and tar sands are not the way to go in this state, and I am one of many who are unwilling to see our beautiful lands destroyed on energy projects that will not contribute much to the nation's energy needs and only serve to make a few companies rich.

Until people like Majority and Emajor can come up with a practical vehicle that runs on electricity (and don't even think about saying that the Leaf and the Volt are practical), oil shale must be developed.

When you're done, then you can lead us in a debate about whether strip mines or windmills are uglier.

Brave Sir Robin I enjoyed your quote you made me laugh. The Volt is such a joke why would pay 40K for a Malibu. The economic math is rediculous you would have to drive the Volt for 20 years before you break even on the cost difference. That and you could have bought a new Camero for 10-15k less. Wow, which one would you rather have.

What we need are solid CNG options were we can at least add some variety to the transportation fuel market.

@Emajor 6:11 a.m. - "You think the windmills are ugly? Have you seen a strip mine? I will take windmills any day.

Oil and tar sands are not the way to go in this state, and I am one of many who are unwilling to see our beautiful lands destroyed on energy projects that will not contribute much to the nation's energy needs and only serve to make a few companies rich."

To be able to enjoy the beautiful lands you have to be able to get to them. Gasoline derived from oil shale will enable you to see the land, battery-powered cars charged by windmills won't get you there unless you stop and recharge the battery several times.

The best place to build windmills is on a strip-mined site - one piece of land, two uses.

Sir Robin,
So that's it, huh? I need to have designed a miracle car before I can comment on strip mining our public lands? I sure hope you haven't made a comment criticizing federal spending, because last I looked you have not designed and built a solution to this recession.

Listen, if the oil shale and tar sand resources in this state could lead us to energy independence, there would be merit to this. But it is a drop in the bucket compared to our consumption, and requires far too much water and landscape destruction to obtain. Oil shale is a short-term band aid to our problem, period. Oil is going to run out eventually, we had better start figuring out alternatives.

I see people above appealing to "renewable energy" instead of oil shale. Exactly what "renewable energy" can power cars and semi-trucks and trains today?

understandingheart | 2:58 p.m.
"...It seems logical to me that the land is meant to be developed as needed to support mankind."

============

I agree with you on that point.

But let me ask you more about "as needed to support mankind"....

Do you really think you NEED an SUV getting 8 mpg?
Do you really think you NEED 6,000 pounds of metal to take your 185+ pound rear-end to the grocery store?
Does a family of 4 really NEED a 9 passanger Suburban?

Just like Medical miracles, paying Tithing and even Forgiveness --

God ALWAYS expects us to do everything we possibly can FIRST, before he can ever even consider helping us by his mercy.

...