The Ranger Online

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Bridgette Sturts

With the onslaught of political films, such as Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and "War Made Easy," narrated by actor-activist Sean Penn, environmental policy in the United States has once again become a burning issue, and the country finds itself listening to a "Conversation on Energy."

On Nov. 8, ConocoPhillips and the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Engineering hosted a town hall meeting with community leaders to discuss the nation's energy future.

"This conversation is long overdue," Robert A. Ridge, vice president of health, safety and environment for ConocoPhillips, said.

In 2006, ConocoPhillips conducted a survey to determine where the oil industry stood in the minds of Americans.

The industry found the results astounding.

According to the survey, the tobacco industry, known for contoversial advertising tactics, is considered by the American people to be more trustworthy than the oil industry.

"We have to start to rebuild that trust, and that's why we're here today," Ridge said.

A panel of five industry insiders, including Ridge, gathered to discuss the nation's energy future, focusing on positions and perspectives around energy solutions that are secure, reliable, available and environmentally responsible.

"One solution is not sufficient," said Dr. Stathis Michaelides, chair of the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio and an advocate for renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric and wind energy.

"In a place like San Antonio, I think it's sinful not to use more solar energy," Michaelides said.

Michaelides' solution to the ongoing energy crisis was to spend money on researching how to produce and store renewable energy sources.

Robert Potts, president of the Water Dixon Foundation, agreed.

Potts said his primary focus is on conserving and maintaining natural water resources while still focusing on harnessing the potential role water could play in solving the energy shortage.

"Water tends to get overpriced and underused," Potts said.

Whatever the solution, Potts said he hopes the oil and energy industries will ask themselves, "What is the cost on our water resources?"

Dr. Dianne Rahm, professor of political science and director of public administration at UTSA, questioned the government's role in energy policy.

Continued...

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