Letter: Off drilling off Florida, Alaska not answers

Letter: Off drilling off Florida, Alaska not answers



Kate Merrick
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 07/21/08

Editor: The American people are understandably concerned about sources for our energy needs, but drilling off the coasts of our beautiful Florida and Alaska are not the answer, in my opinion.

Regardless of claims to the contrary, it would certainly do great harm to the natural environment which has already suffered enough at our hands. Degradation of the environment is blamed for the increase and severity of hurricanes, cyclones, and other storms. Moreover, the experts tell us that those sources would provide very little of our nation's energy needs.

In The Record of July 13, I was surprised to read that "...what the president hasn't told you is that the oil companies are already sitting on 68 million acres of federal lands with the potential to nearly double U.S. oil production." Congress is supposed to be voting of the "use it or lose it" legislation very soon, meaning the big oil companies must develop these resources or lose their leases.

Once the oil barons stop calling the shots in this country, the floodgates on alternative energy development will open along with many new jobs.

When it comes to saving money, just watch the "creativity out of necessity" of the American people.

advances in solar, ideal for sunny states like ours, are producing nanosolar film, which promises to be much cheaper than solar panels.There are farmers in the U.S. who have produced their own power for years using methane produced from animal manure. Methane can be made from trash and garbage as well.What potential.

There are people in St. Augustine who have converted vehicles to alternative energy sources like used cooking oil.

It's time for forward thinking beyond fossil fuels and beyond nuclear, with its deadly waste. We need environmentalists in elected positions.

Also, when will we be recycling glass in St. Augustine?This is 2008.

Kate Merrick

St. Augustine

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