Hey, look: We don’t want
the oil companies to drill here (NIMBY), nor there or anywhere. So, how many of
us have abandoned our automobiles (which are significantly more dangerous to
our children) and unhooked our homes and businesses from natural gas to cancel
our need for fossil fuels?
While I appreciate
NOAA’s mission to save us from ourselves, it seems odd that one of its
scientists would be out discussing a study (Erie) that scares the daylights out
of people, but apparently hasn’t been vetted or even published yet for review.
This is a sure recipe for panic.
Further, knowing something of
the critical role fossil fuels play in the newspaper industry, I was surprised
to see Times-Call business editor Tony Kindelspire jumping aboard the
anti-fracking bandwagon (April 1 column), for it should be clear that this
issue is being exploited as a way to stop all drilling.
In his April 4 guest column,
former city manager Gordon Pedrow wants each municipality to be allowed to put
its own restrictions on drilling. The Colorado Legislature long ago considered
that aspect and decided, properly, that to avoid the chaos which overregulation
brings, the state must keep control. For the city of Longmont to even consider
suing the Attorney General of Colorado for enforcing the law is not a good
idea.
Instead, I say, use that lawsuit
money to chip-seal the streets. Uh-oh. That would require using lots of oil and
where does it come from?
Please, I’m not out to harm children. Also, I respect
the gentlemen mentioned here and honor their freedom of speech.
Meanwhile, I feel sorry for the people who
have to drive to work in order to make a living. Shut down drilling and there’s
no place for gasoline prices to go, except up.
