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Hurricanes Renew Debate About Oil Drilling In The Gulf

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

Consider The Costs

Regarding "Call To 'Drill, Baby, Drill' Misleads Nation" (Our Opinion, Sept. 7):

We must begin drilling our own oil once again and seeking other forms of energy as well. But to say we should not drill in the Gulf of Mexico is a little arrogant on our part. It seems it is okay for us to go to foreign countries and destroy their landscape and possibly create spills there so we can consume massive amounts of all types of energy and we can look at a pretty sunset.

But before we begin creating windmill farms and other new energy sources we should analyze the costs of each type to create and deliver it to Americans.

A kilowatt cost or some type of cost, including building the motors that create wind energy, the cables that deliver it and a guaranteed cost to get it to our homes.

I remember we tried solar energy before and homes installed solar panels but when the subsidies and tax credits ended and the equipment needed repaired, it was abandoned. As far as taking a cue from Gov. Schwarzenegger, it is interesting that he greatly caused the success of the original Hummer, and he is said to commute by jet from his home to the capital.

TIM KEFFALAS

Tarpon Springs

Save Beaches And Economy

The majority of Americans are tired of being put off; they have spoken, but our leaders are not listening. The frustration causes them to chant "drill, baby drill," hoping they will be heard.

You say it won't work, but there are other experts that say it will, and if we do not try, we will not know. I like Florida beaches; most Floridians do. But if we wait too long, the Cubans will hire the Chinese to drill for them. The Chinese do not have the know how that we do, nor will they be concerned about our beaches.

It is not just the Florida economy that is at stake in this matter; the nation's economy is hurting. If it gets worse, we will not have to be concerned about tourists coming to Florida.

Drilling can be done - and Florida can still be a tourist attraction. Let's save the nation's economy and our beaches.

ARTHUR E. OLSEN

Clearwater

Stupid, Baby, Stupid

Putting more oil platforms into the paths of Gulf hurricanes is a terrible idea. This just adds more of the same energy eggs into the same basket. Katrina destroyed platforms. Ike has destroyed platforms.

Drill, baby, drill is stupid, baby, stupid.

CHARLIE CROOK

Tampa

Just Helping Addicts

The debate about whether to allow coastal and wildlife-refuge oil drilling is akin to a debate about whether to allow the drunken father to have access to the children's trust fund to support his alcohol addiction.

ED BRADLEY

Lithia

It's A World Market

I was more open to considering loosening the coastal drilling restrictions before I started researching the issue.

The rise in gas prices is mainly attributed to the current and future anticipated demands of China and India and the rest of the world market.

The United States is exporting a record amount of oil, 1.8 million barrels a day, and there would be no guarantee that another country such as China or India would outbid us for the oil that comes out of any new wells drilled as a result of loosening the restrictions. All we will be doing is feeding the demand of these other countries and increasing the profits of the oil companies.

The only real way we can succeed here is by either restricting the export of U.S. oil, or minimizing our demand through conserving and using alternative sources.

GLENN SMITH

Tampa

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