Energy Independence Now
FROM MAY 14: Stephen Smith ("Gas Pain," April 28) blames consumers. The GOP blames Democrats because they oppose drilling in sensitive areas. The Democrats blame the GOP because they dance to "big oil lobby tunes."
The man on the street believes oil companies and OPEC are accountable. Oil companies cite over-regulation and increased demand from Asia.
OPEC latches onto our lack of refining capacity. Finally, some lay responsibility squarely on the Creator who located major oil deposits in lands under stewardship of fascist demagogues.
All these factors contribute to today's high gas prices. However, they are at best secondary or tertiary. The primary reason for today's high fuel costs was our failure to develop alternative fuels when the need first surfaced.
OPEC, dominated by Arab states, embargoed oil in 1973 as their response to our support for Israel. In 1974, a serious recession ensued. The West was placed on notice that Arab states had oil as a weapon against their economies.
Did we act to employ our scientific and engineering expertise to create a domestic industry targeted to free our economy from Arab bondage? No! Instead, we struck a Faustian bargain with the Saudis and their fellow sheiks.
The essence of this bargain was -- you maintain an adequate supply of oil, thereby controlling cost, and we will militarily protect you and your oil from any and all threats. Until recently the bargain held because the Saudis, with excess capacity, controlled supply and hence, cost. So what happened?
Oil went from a supply-dominant situation to one of demand control. The Saudi hole card, excess capacity, no longer was trump.
We as a nation are again at a crossroads. Will we commit our resources to true energy independence, or once again look for an expedient political Band-Aid?
Michael J. Keogh
Pinehurst
