To: hmaly who wrote (138341 ) 7/30/2001 10:42:58 AM From: Alighieri Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 1583647 Motorists this summer have been getting a break at the gas pump after world crude oil prices eased and refiners rushed to fill "shortages" that developed during the spring." But according to Cheney this could not be done, because no new refineries had been built in 10 years...he faileld to say that existing refineries have been upgraded to be considerably more productive during the same time period. Later on Ackerman statesBut the facts are something different. Between 1980 and 2000, despite a 90% increase in real gross domestic product (GDP), energy consumption increased by just 25.6%. His point is that despite a near doubling of GDP in the last 20 years, energy consumption has been kept at a lower growth rate, largely due to the very conservation Cheney said is not the answer. "There is so much oil and natural gas in the ground. There are more known reserves now than there ever has been." <<<< B I N G O Exactly again what Cheney was saying. The oil and natural gas are out there, we just need to drill and mine for them. But if there is so much, why can't we be selective about the places we drill and explore? Why do we have to spoil the last few unspoiled corners of the earth when we have so much oil in the ground? Does this very fact not constitute ground for compromise? Also, most of the oil drilled in Alaska is now exported to Japan, which is far more exposed to world energy markets than the U.S. This is a shocking revelation. If, as you say, Alaskan oil is shipped to Japan for logistical reasons, then will this not be in fact truer for oil drilled from the Artic wildlife preserve? What is then the true purpose of drilling there if this oil is unlikely to reduce American dependence on Middle East oil? Al