Thursday, March 24, 2005

The gas police

The International Energy Agency, the pan-European equivalent of the U. S. Department of Energy, briefed reporters on a report that it will shortly issue which suggests "rapid demand response" to oil supply disruptions or price shocks. This is a euphemism for rationing and driving restrictions coupled with reduced fares for public transport. While this response is premised on "emergency" conditions, it strikes me as an omen for what an energy-starved world may have to look forward to.

The agency admits that enforcement of some of the measures would require increasing the number of police officers on duty at any given time.

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