We need to understand the days of cheap gas prices are over. We have had a lousy energy plan, and now we are paying the price. Offshore drilling will not decrease prices at the pump but will increase revenues to big oil companies during a time they’re reaping mega profits. The Bush Administration’s own data says offshore drilling will not have a significant effect on gas prices. Offshore drilling will affect our environment, our coasts and marine life.
What we need are real solutions from Congress. A comprehensive energy plan should include tax incentives for Americans to purchase solar panels for their homes and for new buildings to be designed with energy efficiency in mind. A smart energy plan should also require all electric companies to produce at least a quarter of their energy from renewable energy sources. Increasing renewable energy has a side benefit of increasing much-needed jobs. Another good idea would be for the federal government to work with communities to design smart growth cities as opposed to urban sprawl growth which relies heavily on the automobile. Another part of the solution is to require automobile manufacturers to increase fuel efficiency in all new vehicles sold.
Hopefully, Congress will say no to offshore drilling. It is time for smart energy policies, not big oil energy policies. For more information and to take action, go to http://action.wilderness.org/campaign/energyMOC.
