The Arctic
Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling (Part I, Aug. 14) is not about national security, as claimed by the legion of assorted Reagan Administration supporters, led by Interior Secretary Donald Hodel. For, in the basin of the ANWR, even by the most optimistic predictions, there will not be enough oil found to restore the United States’ growing dependency on foreign oil. Instead, the question of oil development and national security in Alaska is raised simply for the advantage and profit of major American oil companies.
If the current Administration is truly concerned with the national security question of oil supplies, why has it gutted alternative energy programs, eliminated the increased mileage requirement for automobiles and raised the speed limit on America’s highways?
ELLIS ESTES
Long Beach
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
