Energy woes

June 4, 2001
We acknowledge that conservation can and should play an important role in our nation's energy plan.

We acknowledge that conservation can and should play an important role in our nation's energy plan. But our nation's energy production is operating near maximums. We must recognize that expanding our nation's domestic energy must be addressed through increased access to sources of both domestic and worldwide petroleum.

We must pursue a wide array of energy initiatives intended to decrease America's energy dependence on foreign sources, ease the impact of heightened energy prices on low-income consumers, stabilize the energy supply cycle, and promote energy conservation.

Opening up ANWR would help Americans in a time when our nation is nearing an oil and gas crisis. A positive energy bill will help the offshore industry make the US less dependent on foreign imports and would make it possible for the industry to build needed refineries, pipelines, transmission lines, and power plants.

With these positive efforts we can reduce our dependence on oil imports, which has reached an alarming 58%. Those who stand on principle in opposition to increased domestic drilling are putting our national and economic security in jeopardy. This nation is totally dependent on oil, gas, and coal for 85% of its energy needs, and will be for the next quarter-century. Any interruption of these energy supplies can quickly bring this nation to its knees, or hostage to the Middle East oil producers.

Oil and natural gas provide 100% of America's energy for transportation and 60% of the energy used in our homes and businesses.

Dailey J. Berard
Chairman
Universal Fabricators LLC
New Iberia, La.