skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report Uncovers the High Price of Protecting Access to Oil Overseas

play audio
Play

Thursday, October 16, 2008   

Chicago, IL – There may be less expensive ways to get energy, according to a new report examining the military cost of defending U.S. energy concerns overseas. "The Military Cost of Security Energy" finds that 30 percent of the U.S. military budget is spent on protecting access to fossil fuels.

To put that figure into perspective, the average price per gallon for gasoline in Illinois right now is $3.22, but the "actual" cost goes far beyond that. According to the National Priorities Project, the United States spends between $97 billion and $215 billion a year on military action to defend access to oil and natural gas reserves around the world. Report author Anita Dancs says those are tax dollars that could be better used elsewhere.

"A couple billion dollars a year is our federal commitment to renewable energy and energy conservation, whereas we're spending a couple hundred billion dollars a year securing access to energy - it's quite a stark contrast."

Dancs says stronger emphasis on renewable energy would help states like Illinois, which is one of the nation's leading energy consumers. Illinois is ranked 22nd in the country for energy consumption per person -- higher than the national average.

Dancs says the dollar cost isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to the price of nonrenewable fossil fuel energy.

"When you're paying to fill up your gas tank, you're also putting soldiers' lives at risk; you're also spending tax dollars to secure access to that particular form of energy."

The full report is available at www.nationalpriorities.org.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021