Kevin makes some good points. I would also add that if drilling were allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it could take years before the lawsuits that would surely follow could be settled. It could also take a long time for all the infrastructure, pipelines, roads, landing strips, docks and all the necessary equipment to be built. On top of all that there is no law that would prevent the oil industry from selling oil to the highest bidder, read China. Motorists are angry now about high prices and drilling on public land will not make any difference for a very long time. Jerry Neff ----- Original Message ----- From: Phyllis Mains <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:11:19 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Drilling letter by SC member Kevin Marquardt Thanks Kevin! Kevin is a member of the IA Sierra Club Alaska Wilderness Committee and network. Phyllis Wilderness drilling won't cut gas prices In response to the April 6 letter, "We Should Drill Here to Reduce Gas Prices," it is essential Americans understand that we cannot drill ourselves to lower gasoline prices by opening public lands to big oil companies. Compared to the world's oil potential, the estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey found a small amount of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which amounts to merely a drop in the bucket. Such potential would in no way be able "to free us from dependence on foreign oil." Our independence from foreign oil will not occur as long as we rely on our outdated energy sources (oil) of the 19th century, but from our investments in 21st century sources from renewable energy. The Energy Information Administration estimates that lower gasoline prices will not occur if drilling in the Arctic Refuge occurs. Big oil companies use Americans as pawns to control the production of oil, thus forcing us to pay roughly $4 per gallon for gasoline. Allowing big oil companies to drill wherever they choose will not provide Americans a solution to consumption needs. This is why Americans need to urge Congress and President Barack Obama to invest in renewable energy and to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge. - Kevin Marquardt, Clive - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp