I just attended the 2022 Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference hosted by The Shepperd Institute/UTPB. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about the oil and gas industry, I was astounded by the amount of water that is produced and utilized in the production of fossil fuels and the need to recycle and/or dispose of the waste water.
The genius and dedication of the professionals in the field to produce safely the cleanest fossil fuel in the world is something that should be celebrated instead of being denigrated. There is no question that climate change is real but at the same time so is the need for more energy production than can be produced strictly by green energy.
Dr. Ray Perryman quoted from a DOE report that by 2050 there would be a need for 47% more energy from fossil fuels than is currently being produced and another 2 billion people on this planet who will need energy to survive. Now we have the problem created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the disruption in energy supply this action will create. It seems to me our government in creating its energy policy should determine how much is needed, how much can be supplied currently by green energy, and allow the production of fossil fuels and its use like the proposed Nacero plant will provide to fill in the gap.
As more green energy is brought online fossil fuel can be reduced, but if the experts are correct, there will always be a need for a steady reliable supply of fossil fuel to create the needed energy to support mankind. Why not use the cleanest and best that is produced right here in the Permian Basin?
It seems to me to be common sense, but common sense seems to be in short supply with our government. I want to say thank you to all the hardworking professionals in the energy field who are working so hard to be sensitive to the environment and at the same time producing the energy we need and utilizing the water generated in new and sustainable ways.
Charles Cotten
Odessa
