The growing controversy over the proposed oil sands pipeline (Wednesday article, “Obama will reject Keystone oil pipeline, administration official says”) is just the latest manifestation of our national confusion around oil and environmental policy. We bicker, and faction, and fail to see where we can agree.
Oil is vitally important, but also our albatross when it comes to the wealth of our nation, the environment, and international relations. We often agree that our demand for oil is too high. But here’s the kicker: our high demand is in a large part due to low pricing. That’s correct, the apparent cost of a gallon of gas is not the real cost. Not seen at the pump is the price for: subsidies, military protection (including wars), and environmental problems, including our health.
Our leaders, understandably, won’t suggest that we pay the true (higher) cost for a gallon of gas — too politically risky. The irony is, we pay a higher cost anyway — we just don’t see it. Somehow, we need to see the real price of oil — correct price signals, as they say. Otherwise, it’s business as usual; we’re complacent, and always “over a barrel.”
I encourage you to find out more about what can be done to face up to the real cost of oil, but to do it in a way that avoids burdening us any more than we already are. Check out a couple of organizations that inform consumers about progressive oil-pricing:
Dare to agree on oil-pricing policy. Kick-oil! And, please, don’t forget to contact our leaders!
Lee James
Citizens Climate Lobby
Whidbey Island
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
