Oil ShockWave Simulation Highlights Energy Security Vulnerabilities

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Securing America's Future
Energy (SAFE) and the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at
the Harvard Kennedy School today jointly conducted Oil ShockWave, an exercise
in which former high-level government officials led by former Treasury
Secretary Robert E. Rubin were forced to contend with a series of geopolitical
events that precipitated a worldwide oil crisis. The event also served as the
launch of Oil ShockWave: College Curriculum, a box set containing all of the
materials necessary for college and university professors to conduct Oil
ShockWave in their classrooms.
"This simulation, and the opportunity to bring its lessons to classrooms
across the country with the Oil ShockWave college curriculum, will serve as
critical tools for emphasizing to policymakers of today and tomorrow the
importance of courageous and innovative solutions," Rubin said.
In addition to Rubin, the simulation participants included former Treasury
Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, former Congressman Phil Sharp, former White
House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart, former Deputy National Security Advisor
Meghan O'Sullivan, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International
Security Policy Ashton Carter, and former Executive Director of the
President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board Joan Dempsey.
The Oil ShockWave scenario began with a terrorist attack that forced the
closure of the Bosporus Strait of Turkey. Without that vital shipping lane,
more than two million barrels of oil a day were cut off from the world market
during peak winter demand. The situation grew worse as terrorists in the
Persian Gulf began to target oil infrastructure and western workers there. As
a result of the series of attacks, oil prices shot up to $160 a barrel, and
gasoline in the United States topped $5 a gallon.
"Tonight's simulation made clear the importance of getting beyond sound
bites and parochial interests and taking comprehensive action to limit our
energy security vulnerabilities," SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond said.
"There are no short-term solutions; once a crisis occurs, America's hands are
tied."
Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan
organization that aims to reduce America's dependence on oil and improve U.S.
energy security to bolster national security and strengthen the economy.
SOURCE Securing America's Future Energy

Jonathan Grella of Securing America's Future Energy, +1-202-461-2369