David O. Williams highlights what’s likely to be one of the central struggles in managing our twin energy and water problems – the water needed if oil shale is going to be tapped to head off peak oil. Peak water, in other words, collides with peak oil:
But numerous studies have indicated full-scale commercial oil shale production could suck the river dry. Even industry officials have acknowledged the thirsty nature of the extraction process, which at minimum will require two to three barrels of water per barrel of oil produced.
And if it comes to it, I believe the CO National Guard is probably not up to dealing with Nat Guards of CA, AZ, NM, UT, plus Mexican Army. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.