Editor, The News:

The big-oil lackeys of the political right are at it again.

Blaming the “evil” environmentalists for $4 gas isn’t enough; now they’re blaming ethanol for the increasing grocery prices.

It’s not ethanol, stupid. It’s $5-a-gallon diesel fuel that’s not only driving up the cost of food, but everything else delivered by truck. Freight haulers are tacking on fuel surcharges.

The oil apologists cite supply and demand to defend $4 gas and keep repeating the mantra the only solution is more drilling and refineries. Funny, none of them have suggested less consumption.

We could build a dozen new refineries and drill all we want in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico or the continental shelf, but unless there is some serious conservation (reduced demand) gas prices will continue to rise.

As I mentioned in a previous letter, the logical means of reducing oil use is alternate fuels. Technology exists to wean ourselves completely off not only oil, but coal as well in 10 years if we so choose.

Energy such as hydrogen, battery power, solar and wind are totally clean, renewable and offer unlimited supply.

OPEC would be history, along with the oil speculators (futures traders). The world’s “geopolitical climate” would no longer be an excuse to justify fuel prices. Undoubtedly, the biggest benefit of all is these sources need no environmental regulations because there’s no pollution or ecosystem threats.

Robert Zbegan

ShenangoTownship