Drilling Vote Heats Up Debate Over Energy

Re “Senate Votes for Drilling in Arctic Refuge,” March 17: The federal government is moving to solve our energy problems once again. First we invaded Iraq and now we are going to “develop” the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so we have plenty of oil, for now. Oil is a finite resource that will eventually be expended. Why is there a dearth of visionaries running the federal government? Would not the most intelligent course of action be to develop other sources of energy while some oil still exists? The days of plentiful and cheap oil are over. It is time for our leaders to realize this and it is time for the oil companies to invest some of their recent windfall profits in developing other sources of energy.

Lawrence Turner

Glendora

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The U.S. is in a race for its economic life as China, Europe and other energy-needy countries compete aggressively for the world’s oil supplies. Every resource must be explored to raise production. It is time to pursue even marginal areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and its valuable companion, natural gas, which powers electric utilities. Alaskan oil exploration may not be the best solution, but it’s better than waiting.

Sandra L. Lewis

Los Angeles

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Maybe I’m in the minority, but to me a wildlife refuge means just that: a wild place where animals and plants exist in their natural state, and where humans don’t interfere. On the face of it, more than half of the U.S. Senate thinks differently. But you have to seriously question the truthfulness of any politician who will say with a straight face that Alaskan oil exploration won’t harm the environment. Anyone who’s ever been in an oil field can tell you that oil drilling and wildlife don’t mesh too well. If our nation needs oil so badly, then Congress should pass a law removing that designation from the land and totally open it up to exploration.

Anderson Gansner

Chicago

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The Times editorial, “Energy Non-Policy” (March 16), ends with a plea for alternative energy incentives. Forget it! Not going happen!

Until America throws off the yoke of one-party Republican rule, our fossilized fossil-fuel policies will remain firmly in place. They’re just too lucrative for the old-line energy companies and the shortsighted politicians who depend on them for campaign contributions.

Doug Hammond

Bellingham, Wash.