Letter: Alternative energy sources fail to emerge

Monday, April 4, 2005 | 9:12 a.m.

I have read many letters to the Sun on the subject of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Many of the writers fail to remember that during the 1990s, alternative fuel sources were talked about at length and nothing was accomplished. Vice President Al Gore, for example, who authored "Earth in the Balance," never got anything going.

Yet President Bush brought up the Alaskan site in the early days of his presidency. Unless we can show the world that we have the technology and fortitude to pursue other sources of oil, we will forever be beholden to other governments and cartels to meet the needs here.

It's not as if these frigid sites are popular tourist attractions. Most people see Alaska from a cruise ship and structured tours. Granted, it will take 10 years to see any oil from this source, but this could have already been started three or four years ago. Those who are constantly complaining about pump prices should look to the environmentalists. They're the ones who are putting up roadblocks for drilling and new refineries.

VICKI HILDEN