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We've got mail! Energy crisis To the editor: America is in an energy crisis, not because of OPEC, but thanks to the policies of Congress and the last three presidents. Since 1982, Congress has passed laws banning the production of oil and natural gas on our Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); the last three presidents went along. But the U.S. Minerals Management Service estimates (conservatively) that the OCS holds 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas -- the equivalent of 35 years of imported oil from OPEC and an 18-year supply of natural gas. The United States is the only country in the world that prohibits exploitation of such offshore resources. A recent Gallup poll found that nearly 60 percent of Americans support increased production of offshore oil and natural gas. Last week when I tried in a House committee to start opening up our vast offshore reserves, I lost on a partyline vote. Nine Democrats on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted against the measure; six Republicans backed it. I'll offer the same amendment when the full committee meets, and again on the House floor, in the weeks ahead. I want every member of Congress on record on the issue. High energy prices are draining our wallets at an alarming rate. By pushing U.S. companies overseas, where energy costs are lower, they also threaten our jobs. This mess is the result of Washington's foolish policy of restricting domestic energy production and discouraging investment in it. All too often, Washington's energy debate revolves around the notion that support for increased domestic production of oil and natural gas means opposing renewable energy, conservation and sound environmental policy. In fact, these shouldn't be competing priorities, but complementary ones: America must produce more, conserve more and invest more in renewables. America depends on fossil fuels for 86 percent of our energy needs; wind, solar and geothermal power cover less than one percent. Renewable energy won't be available in sufficient quantity and at affordable prices for decades, so we have no other choice than to produce more of our own oil and natural gas or further increase our dependence upon foreign sources. And producing our own energy will create tens of thousands of jobs, and bring in hundreds of billions of dollars in royalties. That cash can be dedicated to renewable fuels R&D, carbon sequestration and environmental cleanup of our waters, as well as programs such as weatherization and energy assistance for those most in need. Billions more would go to the coastal states for their own use and to the U.S. Treasury.
Solving our energy crisis should be the No. 1 priority of Congress and the present and future occupant of the White House. Critters on the move To the editor: If you are out and about on the roadways, you may have noticed all the critters there too - eastern and forest tent caterpillars, frogs, turtles and millipedes. The eastern tent caterpillars are doing their first and only hike to find food and the best place to construct their cocoons. Hundreds of caterpillars (or larvae) can be seen on even the shortest drive -- it is impossible not to hit at least one! Eastern tent caterpillars are the insects that construct tents in the crotches of fruit trees like cherry and apple. The brown-colored moths will appear in late June or early July. Forest tent caterpillars are out and about also. These caterpillars can be distinguished from the eastern tent caterpillars because they have keyhole shaped white markings, eat maples, oaks and even white pine and finally they don't make tents, but spin silken mats on limbs in their larval stage. The American toad can be seen mostly at night on wet roadways trying to find a mate, insects or both. They are two to three inches long (females are three to four inches) brown to reddish and usually have one or two warts on their black spots. These toads have a sweet trilling that lasts 10 to 30 seconds. There are several common turtles in the area and they are all on the move, too. Snapping, painted and wood turtles are most likely looking for mates and good locations for laying eggs. Snapping turtles have large heads with long tails and grow to 8-12 inches when mature. Eastern painted turtles have an orange underside, bright yellow spots on its head and red and black margins on the edge of the of shell. Wood turtles have very rough pyramid rising grooves and ridges and their neck and legs, are orangish and are 5.5 to 7.5 inches when mature. All of these turtles are omnivores. The giant American millipede grows to four inches long and eats decaying material. Millipedes are moving in search of mates, just like the toads and turtles.
With all this activity, I hope you slow down, see what is crossing the roadway and miss the critters on the move. For the animals To the editor: Citizens of Cameron County, if you see an animal being abused or running at large, please call your State Dog Law warden, Brett Grimm, at 486-2555. Krazy A Shop is not a dropoff place for dogs and cats. If you witness any stray cats or any cats that are causing property damage, please be advised that there is a cat ordinance in Emporium. Call Borough Manager Don Reed at 486- 8245 or 486-0768. The main office for abused animals is the Pa. Humane Society in Clarion at (814) 226-9192. Cameron County SPCA members may also be contacted. President is George Sowers at 486-2522. Please do not call my business for these issues and please do not bring or drop off any animals. My heart goes out for these animals and you can make better life for these animals by using the contact information above.
Remember, the animals can't speak for themselves. Fair group wants help To the editor: Do you have a special talent, knowledge on interesting topics, or a zest for a craft to share with our younger generation? Are you interested on demonstrating global positioning systems, sports or sportsmen activities? Can you play banjo, kazoo, tell stories, make paper airplanes or paper dolls? Cameron County Fair Association is looking for individuals and groups to provide information and resources to children and their families on health, education or lifestyle choices.
They're invited to set up at the fairgrounds on Aug. 6. Please consider donating a night or even a half-hour. Contact me at 486-2191 for more information. Letters to the editor can be submitted by email to endeavor media@zitomedia. net or by mail to 29 E. 4th St. Emporium, PA 15834 or to PO Box 87, Coudersport, PA 16915. Writers should try to keep their letters brief and focused on one topic. They must be accompanied with a phone number for verification. |
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