FICTION:
We don't need oil shale. We can just use renewables and non-fossil fuel alternatives to meet our future energy needs.
FACT:
During the next 50 to 100+ years the United States will need a secure domestic supply of hydrocarbon fuels especially for airline travel and ground transportation. Oil shale is one of the domestic bridge fuel supplies that can see the nation through
to a society less dependent upon foreign fossil fuels.
FICTION:
Oil shale processing uses more energy than it produces. It would be better to process pop tarts or potatoes.
FACT:
Net energy is created though the retorting of oil shale. Depending upon the technology employed and the richness of the resource, estimates range from a ratio of 3:1 to 6:1. The size, concentration and quality of the oil shale resource in the Western
U.S. make it an ideal domestic source of gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.
FICTION:
Oil shale development has too many health, wildlife and environmental unknowns, and it is too risky and dangerous, so commercial development must await completion of all research, development and demonstration.
FACT:
The basic methods of producing oil and gas from oil shale are well known. Commercial oil shale projects have been in operation in Brazil, China, Estonia and other parts of the word for decades. It is only the newer techniques under development that
still need to be demonstrated.
FICTION:
There is not enough water available to support oil shale development in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Stream fisheries will be eliminated. Water will become too dangerous to drink because of contamination by elements like arsenic,
boron and selenium.
FACT:
Water is needed for oil shale processing. However, a commercial oil shale industry would use only a small percentage of the water in the Basin. A no-discharge strategy will be employed wherein contaminated water will be treated and used internally,
and contaminated water will not be returned to local water sheds.
FICTION:
Shale oil is a dirty, inferior hydrocarbon fuel.
FACT:
Oil shale deposits in the Western United States are the most concentrated hydrocarbon resource in the world. One ton of oil shale will produce 25 gallons or more of shale oil that can be refined into excellent gasoline, jet fuel, diesel and other
petroleum products. The shale oil content in a ton of oil shale is greater than the oil contained in a ton of rock from a conventional oil reservoir.
FICTION:
There is no need to lease Federal oil shale lands since there are plenty of private oil shale lands.
FACT:
Much of the highest quality oil shale resource in the world is under U.S. Federal ownership. It is this resource that has the best chance of supporting a first generation oil shale industry that is economic and sustainable. Therefore, it is in the
interest of the nation to make this resource available to industry.
FICTION:
There is no solution to dealing with greenhouse gases (GHG) produced from oil shale processing.
FACT:
Greenhouse gases produced from oil shale processing can be captured, and put to beneficial use or sequestered. Techniques are under development by oil shale and other industrial firms to meet regulations when they are enacted. Not all technologies
under development require large external sources of electric power. The gas produced during oil shale retorting is sufficient to supply the retorting energy needs of most processes.
FICTION:
Spent shale is a hazardous material and blows-up like popcorn when produced.
FACT:
Spent shale is not a hazardous material. A recent finding by the U.S. EPA confirms that conclusion. Spent shale embankments resulting from semi-commercial oil shale operations in the Western United States in the 1960-80's are stable landfills, support
vegetation and have not contaminated surface or ground waters.