‘Let’s Avoid More Energy Hysteria’

William L. Curtiss (Editorial Pages, June 2) says “Let’s Avoid More Energy Hysteria” and goes on to pose the question “Why Gamble Our Resources on Hodel’s Apocalyptic Visions?”

The gamble is not implementing Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel’s plans, for we are presently, recklessly, plunging on the course that will put us back in OPEC’s clutches by 1991-1993, possibly before. Curtiss reminds us that a decade ago hysteria swept Congress; it will again. Outstanding hindsight seems to be one of Curtiss’ attributes, foresight seems to be missing.

His point on Hodel’s electric power shortages fails to point out that although Hodel may be wrong, he may prove to be correct, since the utilities have no major expansion plans on the drafting boards, and primarily because of the Sierra Club and its environmental allies.

He makes much of Hodel’s cloudy crystal ball and the nuclear power plants in the Northwest. They are in their current state because of the Sierra Club, et al. Hodel’s vision was OK, but our propensity to let the Sierra Club entangle us in a snarl of legal paper work is the cause of the bond default.

As to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it is not a gamble to proceed, and one helluva gamble not to.

We are talking about an area the size of South Carolina and 8% of the total refuge. And that 8% won’t be raped or pillaged. I have been to Prudhoe Bay and it has been treated with respect and care.

Our company is energy-sensitive. We survived the 1973-74 crisis and barely survived the 1979-80 debacle. In the latter case we shrunk from 1,400 employees to 220.

I don’t want to gamble. I want a cinch. We must proceed with the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge project.

WARREN F. JONES

Los Angeles

Jones is president of Hehr International Inc.