More domestic drilling won’t help

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

Friday, July 18, 2008 | 2 a.m.

I’m getting tired of people, like a flock of crows, screeching drill, drill, drill and often blaming Democrats for the prices we’re paying at the pump. It’s time for a reality check.

First, a business analyst recently commenting on Fox News about drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico said it would be eight years before it reached market.

Next thought: Who would do the drilling? Why, none other than the companies that have gas stations on just about every corner. Does anyone think they’ll do the drilling on a cost-plus-expenses basis?

No, they’ll charge the market price, which is driven by speculation. It’s about $140 a barrel now, and who knows how much it will be in eight years. And the Republicans then, just as they do now, will want to offer them tax breaks.

As far as blaming Democrats goes, it should be realized that for decades they have been trying to get legislation to support alternative sources of energy, such as solar, wind and geothermal, as well as trying to get Detroit to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, only to have these efforts blocked by the Republicans.

As far as nuclear power goes, Nevadans should realize the only way new plants will go online is if they can bury nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, which John McCain supports, 90 miles from here.