Commentary One
The response that was provided to the question regarding an example of an environmental problem making energy infrastructure security more difficult was partially correct. According to Brown, Rewey, and Gagliano (2003), the environmental problems are actually categorized into being caused by any of the three energy facilities, such as: the electricity system; petroleum; and natural gas . The problem of air quality was noted under the topic “Energy and Environmental Policies: Interactions with Energy Security” . It is therefore deemed an environmental problem since its effect could be deduced as a health hazard, especially to the people living within a predetermined zone. However, it was expressly noted that “no states have yet needed to extend the operating hours for large plants, at least one state has experienced the air quality effects of smaller generators in electricity crises” ; therefore, one does not completely agree with the response given that it does not present any grave or significant threat to critical infrastructure and therefore, only partially addressed the question, as required.
Commentary Two
The response to the question to gauge whether the energy industry over-regulated is correct. According to the article published by the Institute for Energy Research, there are greater numbers of American refineries which had reportedly resorted to closures due to their inability to comply with more stringent and even noted as over-burdensome regulations imposed . One definitely agrees with the response since the report actually presented statistical information which attested to the veracity of the assertions. As emphasized, “according to a March 2011 Department of Energy report, in the past 20 years, federal regulations were a significant factor in the closing of 66 U.S. refineries” (Institute for Energy Research , 2012, par. 16). Therefore, the response accurately addressed the question and the statistical information provided in the discource have proven that over-regulation was an instrumental factor to the closure of energy refineries in the United States.
References
Brown, M., Rewey, C., & Gigliano, T. (2003, April). Energy Security. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Energy: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/prepare/NCSLEnergy%20Security.pdf
