Offshore Drilling Controversy and Meeting Petroleum Needs

I read with great interest your editorial (“So Why Pick on Californians?” April 25) regarding offshore oil drilling. We agree that Californians should be proud of their efforts to conserve energy. While Californians are using energy more wisely, we are also the nation’s leading petroleum products consumers.

California is the third-largest consumer of oil in the world, surpassed only by the rest of the United States and the Soviet Union. In fact, Californians consume approximately 2 million barrels of oil each day. Yet, we produce only 1 million barrels a day. This means that the remaining 1 million barrels must be shipped in daily.

The headline of your editorial asks “Why Pick on Californians?” The idea that the petroleum industry is taking advantage of California is silly. Our position is simple. California is rich in petroleum resources that can be used to its own benefit and for the benefit of the other 49 United States, and we want to maximize these resources. We are not opposed to energy conservation or to environmental protections.

You state that the reduction in electricity from oil-fired power plants from 48% in 1975 to 1% now as though the reduction came from conservation. The change is simply due to expanded use of nuclear and natural gas sources for electrical generation. Offshore areas remain the most attractive source for new sources of natural gas finds and should not be set off limits simply because some coastal residents do not like to see platforms offshore.

You also fail to mention that $350 million is contributed to California’s economy each year through offshore production in state waters, not to mention the significant revenues from the federal OCS program. And more than 20 years of offshore operations have clearly demonstrated that those activities can be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.

It is clear that issues surrounding offshore oil drilling will continue to be discussed and debated for some time. If we are to reach responsible and rational decisions, all sides of the issue must be considered.

DOUGLAS HENDERSON

Executive Director

Western States Petroleum Assn.

Glendale