Congratulations you for “hitting the nail squarely on the head” by pointing out the hypocrisy of the federal government and their flimsy energy policy (Editor’s Perspective, OGJ Online, Feb. 23, 2007). We need to cut our dependency on foreign energy sources back to less than we were in 1973. The marketplace should be the dictator of the viability of renewable energy more than government tax abatements and tariffs.
I am a farmer, and this year I will benefit greatly from the governmental policies on ethanol and biofuels that are enhancing the prices I will receive for my grains and oilseeds.
Dependence on foreign energy and the politics thereof that fuel the speculation in the marketplace drive up the cost of energy for all of us. My expenses for my farming operation that are derived from energy usage, i.e. diesel, gasoline, electricity, fertilizer, chemicals, tires, shipping, raised my total operational expenses 10% last year. The profit margin from better commodity prices is surely to be taken away by the gouging manipulation of foreign oil and government manipulation.
Again, I say, you made a very good statement.
James Hinton
Floydada, Tex.
