Letter: U.S. should tap energy resources
Motorists look for an unoccupied pump at a gas station in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2011) Credit: AP
Regarding "Forecast: Record oil costs" [News, Oct. 14], there is an obvious solution to our nation's energy problem. Our untapped oil, natural gas and coal reserves range from a 50-year to a 300-year supply right here in the United States.
While we develop alternative sources for our nation's future energy needs, it is folly not to develop our natural resources here and now. In "Perry: Cut energy production rules" [News, Oct. 15], Newsday reported that, "Perry's speech didn't mention that it can be years between when drilling begins . . . and a significant number of jobs can be created." Obviously when "drilling begins," there will be jobs created. Real jobs, blue-collar, well-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced!
Somehow the left finds it morally superior to buy oil from despot Mideast regimes. Environmentalists fail to recognize that buying oil from the Mideast is not buying oil from Mars. It is produced right here on Earth in areas where there is little or no environmental oversight.
Whether we like it or not, this country, until alternative sources are developed, relies on oil. It is time to become independent, and Rick Perry's plan should be implemented today.
Christopher M. Ré, Massapequa
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