Federal Regulations Hurt US Oil, Natural Gas Production

Pete duPont's editorial "Addicted to Regulation" outlines Federal laws and regulations over the last 25 years that greatly restrict domestic oil and natural gas production. US oil consumption is more than 20 million barrels/day (up from about 15 million b/d in the early 1980's). Our production has declined to 5 million b/d from about 10 million b/d in 1970.

There is abundant supply (105 billion barrels off the continental shelf and in Alaska), and low-impact means to acquire it, yet Federal Laws have put nearly all this off limits for production.

I believe the economic potential of cheap gas is huge -- it promotes manufacturing, transportation, and profitability for all kinds of commercial and non-commercial ventures. Cheap power sources have always fueled economic and social progress, throughout history.

We need to pursue other options as well. Nuclear power is a must. Hydro-electric should continue where it's feasible. We have many options for clean-burning coal. Solar and wind have growth potential.

(Hydrogen gets a lot of media buzz, but simple physics make it unlikely to be successful.)

Christians should be good thinkers. Yes, it's true that the proven US oil reserves (without oil shale) will only take care of US needs for 25 years, allowing for 30% demand rate increases. But that's 25 years we can use to bring other options on line. That's 25 years to improve batteries, for example, so that electric vehicles are more practical.