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AG (Attention Getter)

The U.S. relies heavily on oil, and it is an important resource, political tool, and asset worldwide. It is also a main source of energy around the world. So we need to make sure that it is widely available and accessible.

Q (Question)

How can the U.S. combat OPEC oil cuts?

Answer (Summary Of Speech)

By using U.S. strategic oil reserves, looking into alternative energy sources or renewables, and encouraging global cooperation, we can move forward despite the OPEc cuts to oil production.

BG (Background)

OPEC, or the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has recently cut oil production levels drastically, partly in response to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, leading to a rise in prices globally. At the same time, energy demand for oil is dramtically increasing. These cuts, along with the lack of cooperation from the Saudis, have put the U.S. in a tricky spot.

R1 (First Reason)

The U.S. can continue using our strategic oil reserves to help fight this action. As Quartz 10/19/2022 explains, President Biden has released oil from these strategic reserves, directly countering the cuts, and his administration has said that they can conitnue releasing more barrels from the reserves to meet demand. Because of this, gas prices declined, and a White House statement says that "This repurchase approach will protect taxpayers and help create certainty around future demand for crude oil. That will encourage firms to invest in production right now, helping to improve U.S. energy security and bring down energy prices that have been driven up by Putin’s war in Ukraine." Using reserves is the strongest, and most direct response to this issue, and offers a clear impact that other methods may not.

R2 (Second Reason)

We can use alternative energy sources or renewables to lower our demand for oil. Biden's administration has a plan to switch to alternative energy sources by 2050. The Guardian 12/8/2021 explains that Biden's plan establishes the U.S. as a leader and an example in the fight against climate change. His plan eliminates both greenhouse gases and the need for the levels of oil that we require currently. It cuts total emissions by 65% by 2030, and has a huge impact on gas/oil demand as a whole.

R3 (Third Reason)

The U.S. can promote more cooperation to tackle the oil issue. We can use our expansive diplomatic resources to push for more cooperation, within and outside of OPEC, because changes in our diplomatic strategy need to be made for any real progress to occur. The U.S. has shown that its diplomacy works, and while it typically deals with more immeadiate issues like war/conflict de-escalation, we have strong relationships with other nations, and can strategically use our influence to ensure that there are consequences for prolonging this problem like we have in the past. The AP 10/11/2022 explains that "Biden has vowed consequences for the Saudis" following the recent cuts, promising action to be taken soon. This pushes the Saudis to cooperate, and can work with other countries as well and in other settings. Diplomatic pressure works, and it can be used to make prices more manageable for Americans.

C (Conclusion)

To summarize, the U.S. can use our strategic reserves, continue with our plan to move towards increased alternative energy, reducing the need for oil, and we can take diplomatic steps to urge cooperation with OPEC and other nations.