Wrong for America

By THOMAS B. EVANS Jr.

Americans are with good reason angry at the price they pay for gasoline. It is causing financial problems for most because the price of food and other essential commodities obviously affects us along with the price at the pump.

Unfortunately, taking advantage of these hardships is easily possible. Hardships need to be addressed — not exploited by giving people false hope. Our history is filled with exploitation for short-term political gain. It happened in 2001 when proponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge told us the California Energy Crisis would be resolved if only we could drill in ANWR. Well, everyone should know what actually happened.  The government ended the price manipulation and the people of California, to their credit, started conserving more. The crisis was resolved and fortunately the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge remains a special pristine place.

The answer to our present energy crisis, according to President Bush, the oil companies, and most of the Republican leadership is to drill and drill some more for oil, wherever and whenever possible.  (Never mind the environmental costs.)

They are still obsessed with drilling in ANWR and are dead set on reversing the decades old federal moratorium against drilling off the outer continental shelf. These misguided leaders are capitalizing on the extremely high price of gasoline by suggesting that lifting the prohibition against drilling would solve all our problems. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, for example, has been trumpeting his slogan: Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less. The implication he and others are leaving us is that drilling off our coasts now will immediately reduce oil prices and hence the price at the pump. That is just plain wrong.

In a series of lectures on subjects including energy and the environment, I have studied very carefully matters related to offshore drilling. In my view, it is the worst option available in our quest to develop energy independence. The following are some suggestions:

First — It is terribly misleading to suggest that drilling off our coasts would reduce the price of oil anytime in the near future.  At best the oil would come on stream in 5-7 years and the impact on our wallets would be tiny. A recent study by the Energy Information Administration (President Bush’s own agency) found that opening up all areas in the outer continental shelf presently closed to drilling would cut gasoline prices by a mere three to four cents per gallon.

Second — The costs from a potential spill as a result of a severe storm or just plain negligence would be incalculable for our coastal communities. The tourist industry and commercial and sport fishing are two examples among many.

Third — We use 25 percent of all the energy produced in the world and we produce less than 5 percent. We must do better and we can do so without jeopardizing our environment or our economy.  Developing alternative sources of energy and conservation would mean thousands of jobs in science and engineering. That is where our priorities should be placed. This would help ween us away from our addiction to oil, help our economy and our national security.

Fourth — Drilling for more oil means more burning of fossil fuels that add to the warming of our planet. Global warming is for real and we are betraying the trust of future generations by our constant emphasis on drilling for more oil.

Fifth — Speaking as a Republican, we have a great heritage in strong environmental initiatives beginning with Teddy Roosevelt.  Developing energy independence is not and should not be a partisan issue.

I fervently hope we will not be led down a path that may benefit oil companies but is so clearly wrong for America!