CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As the oil leak continues in the Gulf, John Hofmeister, author of the book “Why We Hate the Oil Companies” and former president of Shell Oil, shared his opinions on the tragedy with listeners at Queens University of Charlotte Wednesday morning.
Hofmeister’s message is partisan, but with his experience in the oil industry he is an expert in the field.
He says the spill in the Gulf is a “human” tragedy, and is not just concerned for the environment but for America’s energy needs as well.
“We are in the last stages of taking rigs out of the gulf,” he explains. “They won’t be back until we bring them back.”
Hofmeister predicts the U.S. will produce two million fewer barrels of oil each day and with the oil supply dropping, the cost of gas could go up to five dollars a gallon by 2012.
Hofmeister said he doesn’t see a short-term solution to the problem, but suggests the U.S. focus on the long-term instead.
He recommends the appointment of an independent group to take charge and take politics out of the issue.
