The Middle East conflicts and the global oil situation has been a problem for the world now for decades. World economies are dependent on unstable Middle Eastern countries for about a third of the world’s oil and energy needs. History shows that the Middle East has always been politically explosive and unstable. It should come as no surprise that the Middle East has become the “new Europe” – an area that needs to be stabilized by the presence of U.S. and or international forces.
The economic and political realities include the need to become more energy self-sufficient – particularly here in the U.S. green groups have done all they can to restrict the building of refineries, which has substantially contributed to a supply problem and higher fuel prices. In Oregon, for example, there are no refineries and no new refineries have been built in the U.S. for about 30 years due to restrictive environmental regulations.
President Bush and other political allies have suggested we do more to increase our energy independence in the US by using and developing our natural resources in this country to provide U.S. jobs and increase the energy supply. While energy issues will continue to have global concerns, we should be doing all we can in this country to develop new energy sources and alternative fuels for future use.
Suzanne L. Penegor
Eugene resident