IAMC INSIDER

s keepers of our respective organizations’ real estate portfolios, we are intimately involved with not only establishing our plants and distribution networks but operating and maintaining them as well. Undoubtedly, our focus now is on energy costs. At the risk of being political here, it is high time that industrial companies stand up and be counted.

      Decade after decade I have heard the debates of our elected officials on America’s dependence on foreign oil. From sitting in gas lines during the early 1970s to the present debacle of crude oil prices topping $130 a barrel, the message continues to be the same. But the fact remains that little has been done to move towards energy independence. While the press is focused on the personal effect of the cost of filling up our vehicles, let’s not forget that each of us is also concerned with the effect on our respective business operations.

      I, for one, refuse to sit idle and accept the outcome of foreign energy dependence. The time to act and move towards energy independence has long passed. The United States continues to be a nation of great people. We are also a proud nation, and one that takes action in the best interests of its citizens and for the greater good of humanity as a whole. As an American, I feel the need to make a few personal observations. As an employee of an industrial company, I equally feel an obligation to speak out on issues which I believe are in the best interests of all businesses:

      First, in the 35-plus years since the first oil embargo, when energy shortages existed and prices ultimately soared, little has been accomplished toward the goal of energy independence. In fact, as a nation we have taken significant steps backward, allowing the various environmental groups, both peaceful and radical, to assume control over our own ability to explore, produce and refine the fuels required to heat our homes and offices and run our factories. From a manufacturing perspective, the availability and cost of these fuels have driven production and product costs up, with the consumer ultimately bearing the burden of this unbridled effect.

      We cannot continue to allow the desires of a few to take precedence over the will of the people. Regardless of what we are led to believe, corporate America has the technology, need and motive to responsibly extract, produce and refine fuels here at home. Becoming energy independent can be achieved in conjunction with the environment as opposed to at the expense of it.

      Second, while U.S. demand for refined fuels has increased annually, our production and refining capability has fallen steadily. Not only have we failed to build any refineries over the past few decades, we have decommissioned many – lowering our overall refining capacity. This in itself troubles me and forces me to cast a jaded eye upon our elected officials and their decisions.

      Third, our federal government owns approximately 25 percent of all land area in the U.S. and further controls the east and west off-shore coastal regions. Perhaps the time has come to stop debating and start using these lands and regions for energy production.

      I am all for protecting our environment and precious natural resources. However, I am equally (if not more so) for protecting the independence and sovereignty of this proud nation.

Peter Garra

IAMC Chair