Letter to the editor:

More domestic drilling won’t help

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

Fri, Jul 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.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By Judy

7/18/08 at 6:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Well written and right on target Mr. Mundy. I keeping the right wing calling for more oil leases to open up while the ones they have already sit without drilling or exploration. The democrats have been saying for a long time that we need alternative sources of energy and the right wing, as an arm of big oil has blocked every effort.
Why is it the citizen republicans can't see that they are taken for a ride when they go to the voting booth?
By charlesH

7/19/08 at 8:55 a.m.

Suggest removal

Of course more drilling will not lower prices much if at all and certainly not near term. Oil prices are set on a world wide basis and no matter how much we drilled it would affect the WW supply situation enough to lower prices.

What it will do is reduce the money we are sending overseas for foreign oil. It will create jobs here in the US which the last time I checked was supposed to be important to democrats.

The only problem with alternative forms of energy (e.g. wind/solar) is that they cost a lot more and are not 24/7. So if you want your utility bills sky rocket like gas and you don't mind not having power when you need it most then build wind and solar.
By davelv

7/19/08 at 10:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Drilling will take less than 3 years if no impediments are put in place to do so. Also, US drilling could add 15% to the US supply. In case of oil supply disruptions, this would be critical to the economy of the US. Stop listening to idiot liberal leftists and realize that your standard of living and job depend upon US supply of oil.
By PatriciaLV

7/21/08 at 3:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hey "davelv", you wouldn't happen to have any citations for your facts, would you? Specifically, these:

"Drilling will take less than 3 years ..."

And,

"... US drilling could add 15% to the US supply."

And,

"... your standard of living and job depend upon US supply of oil."