It's Still Drill Here, Drill Now

Randall Luthi, AJC:

Oil prices have fallen. Pump prices are lower than they have been in years. OPEC, for the moment, has decided not to cut production. The public wants alternative and renewable energy in our future. So why should we pursue increased offshore development of oil and gas resources in the Atlantic now?

One simple reason: Our nation’s economy is energy dependent. This is one statement that most everyone can agree on. Energy powers our economy, transportation, food production, national defense, our homes and the very essence of our society. Our families and livelihoods depend on having a secure, reliable source of energy at a reasonable price.

It's still drill here, drill now. Some of the rest of the country may be easing off on the price pressure, but Chicago is still high. We can't let this public consensus slip away--or we'll be in the same desperate position again, only it will be worse. The world is going to be a dangerous place for the foreseeable future--we don't want to be dependent on those who wish us harm. And job creation is especially welcome now--real jobs, not government ones we are taxed to pay for.