Forty years ago, October 17, 1973, the Arab oil embargo began as agreed to by the OPEC oil ministers. Since that time, beginning with the embargo, US energy and economic direction has been impacted due to that decision. (The members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) initiated the oil embargo.)
A few months later, (1974) The International Society of The Energy Advocates, now known as The Energy Advocates, was founded. The mission of The Energy Advocates was to educate the public about energy issues and policies, therefore, combating the OPEC stronghold.
The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries was established for the express reason of exerting pressure on the western nations pledging support to Israel at the time. This was the beginning of an organized and official political movement against the West.
This would be the first time the Arab (OPEC) nations would wield the oil. At a time when America was experiencing upheaval and uncertainty on nearly all socio-economic fronts, the energy crisis threatened the very fabric of the American way of life.
Prices reacted almost instantly, and the effects of the Arab oil weapon were felt by citizens across America. Fuel shortages were commonplace during the period of the fall of 1973 to the summer of 1974. This was the first time since World War II that US citizens experienced lines at the pump. This cut in the global supply of oil was devastating to the US economy, and soon other western nations experienced high inflation and economic recession.
Now 40 years later, America is turning the corner. The US today has been proven to possess an abundance of both oil and gas. There is the rallying cry for American energy independence that many in the industry believe is achievable.
Despite this move in the right direction, however, we cannot afford to let up in our national quest to achieve total energy independence. It would only take a political crisis like Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz to hold a percentage of the world’s oil hostage and drive oil prices up. Our energy security still needs to be addressed through the development or a comprehensive domestic energy policy.
The founders of The Energy Advocates would be proud to know that America is becoming less dependent on OPEC. America Needs America’s Energy now more than ever!
Go to www.peoplesenergyplan.com to join the effort of striving toward “creating together the people’s energy plan”.
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