The Peak Oil Debate

The Independent recently published this very interesting article about Peak Oil.

The article has prompted a great deal of astonishment and comment on the internet. Much of the surprise is because the IEA (International Energy Agency) is the body used by all major governments for independent research to inform energy policy. In their 2007 report the IEA said that oil production will plateau and last for the next 40 years - which was used by the UK Government as the basis for their policy making on energy security. But now that the IEA have said they were wrong and that oil supplies are running out much quicker than anticipated will the UK Government change it's policy?

I recently submitted an email form on the Department of Energy & Climate Change website asking why their energy policy was based on the 2007 figures and received this reply:

You may be happy to know that the Prime Minister has asked the Rt. Hon Malcolm Wicks MP, as his Special Representative on International Energy Issues, to review likely future international energy security. His report will present a global picture and consider in more detail the implications for the EU and in particular for the UK. Mr Wicks is aiming to report to Ministers and the Prime Minister by the end of July 2009.

I have been keeping an eye out for the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Wicks report but have not seen it yet. Perhaps in veiw of the IEA's change of opinion he is frantically re-drafting.

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it" - Upton Sinclair