What we need is to be totally weaned off oil

Alan Wollman, Henderson

Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

Let’s look at the big picture.

Blaming the politicians or the oil companies for the high price of oil and gas is ridiculous. Supply and demand still determine price and it’s a fact that emerging nations such as China and India have huge and growing demands; thus the higher prices. However, our objective should not be just to do something to lower gasoline prices or even to reduce our dependence on foreign oil — it should be to reduce our dependence on oil, period.

It’s a fact: Carbon-based fuels produce harmful emissions. Just look at the Olympics, where China is doing everything possible to lower the smog to a “tolerable” level so the athletes can perform. Yes, global warming is a major consideration too, but the direct cause of so many illnesses is the pollution that is destroying the environment and our health.

The oil companies have no incentive to change their ways; they’re enjoying record profits. For them, producing more oil will mean lower profits, and why bother taking the capital risk in new drilling? Besides, offshore and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling may affect market prices in 10 years, but it still doesn’t solve the real problem.

The solution is simple: We must have legislation that is serious about developing alternative, clean energy sources. We have the technology and we have the ingenuity. What we need is determination and creativity from our industry and the political courage from Congress to provide the incentive. Let’s hope Congress can turn aside the lobbyists with the big donations and get us the legislation this country so desperately needs.