"Peak Oil" is a term used to describe that inevitable point in time when world oil production reaches its all-time maximum and begins to diminish. Optomists look twenty years out while pessimists think oil production will begin its production descent in the next five years. Regardless of your point of view, the Department of Energy was concerned enough about the debate to commission a study on the issue. A report titled Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation and Risk Management, authored primarily by Robert L. Hirsch and produced by Science Applications International Corporation was released in February 2005.

The report's executive summary was direct and to the point. "The peaking of world oil production presents the U.S. and the world with an unprecedented risk management problem. As peaking is approached, liquid fuel prices and price volatility will increase dramatically, and without timely mitigation, the economic, social and political costs will be unprecedented. Viable mitigation options exist on both the supply and demand sides, but to have a substantial impact, they must be initiated more than a decade in advance of peaking."

It is described as a major problem that needs "immediate, serious attention." So then, why has the report, paid for by taxpayers, been suppressed? Could it be that it didn't fit the energy policy cooked up by Vice-President Cheney and his secret cabal of industry insiders? Regardless, it is important for all Americans to see the report so they can judge for themselves the true state of our energy future.

To view the original Peak Oil report please click here