[Mb-civic] A disturbing study on Peak Oil commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Energy disappears

[Mike Blaxill]

A disturbing study on Peak Oil commissioned by
the U.S. Dept. of Energy disappears
By Richard Heinberg

Over the past few months controversy has raged
over the timing of Peak Oil – the moment when
global oil production will reach its all-time
maximum and begin its inevitable descent.

Oil optimists say the event won’t occur for
twenty years or more, and that market forces will
result in an imperceptible transition to
alternative forms of energy. “The Stone Age
didn’t end for lack of stones,” say the
optimists, “and the Petroleum Age won’t end
because we run out of oil” – but because we find
something better and cheaper with which to fuel
our society.

Pessimists point out that global oil discoveries
have been plummeting for decades and that supply
and demand are now closely matched (hence the
run-up in oil prices over the past few months);
moreover, there simply isn’t an alternative
energy source available that can take oil’s place
in the near term. They say we may be at peak now,
and that the consequences will be staggering.

In short, oil pessimists spin out
end-of-civilization scenarios while optimists
insist that there is nothing to worry about.

Evidently the U.S. Department of Energy is
interested enough in the Peak Oil debate to
commission a report on the subject. Released in
February this year by Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC), and titled
“Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts,
Mitigation and Risk Management,” the report
examines the likely consequences of the impending
global peak. It was authored principally by
Robert L. Hirsch, and is as remarkable for its
subsequent reception as for its content.

Rest is here
http://www.guerrillanews.com/articles/1572/Where_is_the_Hirsch_Report