The past weekend, the architect of the Pickens Plan took the time to stop by a conference of editorial writers that had convened in Dallas. The gathering proved to be an excellent opportunity to share his views on ensuring America’s energy security with publishing execs from across the country.
On Tuesday, the editorial board of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch presented its observations about Pickens, his plan, and the current state of affairs in the U.S. Here is one of its conclusions:
But he’s dead on with his remarks about a national energy policy. We don’t have one, despite promises by several presidents, including the current one, to end the country’s addiction to imported oil.
Until we have one, we probably can expect continued reliance on foreign sources to meet a significant part of our energy needs.
Pickens, in his usual direct manner, served up a long list of key points about America’s energy consumption over the last half century, including facts about falling domestic production and our increased reliance on imports:
“For 40 years, we have had no energy plan for America. We have to find a way to get by on our own resources. We are importing 67 percent of our oil. We’re the only country without an energy plan.”
Judging from the tone and orientation of their remarks, it’s clear where the editors of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stand on developing America’s energy resources:
It’s no secret that at least some of the billions of dollars we spend each year on imported oil winds up in the hands of terrorist groups.
About 70 percent of the oil Americans use each day goes for transportation — much of it for cars and trucks that make possible our suburban lifestyle.
If we truly want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and stop putting our money into the hands of terrorists, that’s where we have to direct our efforts.
Read the entire editorial HERE.