In December of 2020, 3500 homes and businesses in Aspen, Colorado were impacted by an act of sabotage that caused 2 days of downtime and stopped the flow of natural gas. Black Hills Energy leapt into action, and with temperatures at 2 F, they distributed space heaters, went door to door and ensured that food could continue to be cooked, homes continue to heated, fires continue to be had, pools continue to be warmed and pipes continue to be unburst.

“Finally! A win! Look at us!” the oil and gas community said. “They have to know they need us now! Our product makes life possible. In fact, ‘we’ are the only reason you can live in Aspen, or really anywhere, where it isn’t 60 F.” But no one cared. Has Aspen changed it’s position on setbacks in Weld county?   Did the mayor mention affordable and reliable energy in his 2020 look back he published January 3. No. He didn’t.

What did happen was that Biden paused federal permits. San Diego outlawed natural gas connections for new houses. The New York State pension fund announced it would divest of $4 billion of fossil fuel investment. The North Face refused to sell jackets to an O&G company who wanted to buy them as a gift to employees. And all over the U.S, restaurants survived “outdoor only dining” using spot heaters fueled by propane.  Produce was transported to stores by trucks using gasoline. And airlines enabled people to see their loved ones whenever they want.

In “Atlas Shrugged,” Ellis Wyatt lit his Colorado oil field on fire after the Government imposed egregious regulations. The oil shortage led to less cars are on the road; which resulted in fewer service stations for repairs, and put mechanics out of work, for reasons they didn’t understand. In time, every productive member of society had checked out. Businesses ceased to exist.  Products ceased to be made.  And only one man stayed to fight (and he didn’t get the girl, in case you were wondering).

It’s taken a few years, but I’ve changed my view. It’s time for the industry to stop fighting the narrative. It’s time to stop doing and growing and being. We need a pause.  A strike.  A shrug. A moment where we stop fighting.   Production will fall, and prices will rise. A lot.

And when gasoline is $4.50/gallon, home heating is 75% more, airline tickets double, Amazon Prime charges a fuel surcharge… when we import 10 mmbo per day, when wind and solar companies bring fans and panels to Aspen in the middle of the night, and when people realize that their Tesla is fueled by 35% natural gas and 30% coal, only then will people know where their energy comes from.