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Show ( CAPITOL mm WATCHDOG V J Ry Bi nen(jrix Fossils and fuel Most Utahn's generally believe the answer to the energy shortage is a combination of increased oil production, produc-tion, and conservation. We in the Beehive State have shown our good faith by cutting gasoline and oil product consumption by over 10 percent this year but the U.S. Department of Energy is asking for another 8 percent from our state. Governor Scott Matheson is confident that we can do it without a great deal of strain. Meanwhile, there are several new energy alternatives being discussed with more sincerity than in the past. But there's an emptiness similar to wanting something to eat that you can't find, which comes with these various plans. Sen. Paul E. Tsongas (D-Mass) identified the most popular choices in these terms. "Cogeneration is kind of like recycling; it seems chintzy. Solar energy sounds too good to be believed. Low-head hydroelectricity is hard to get excited about. Windmills were used and rejected years ago; how can we go back to them and call it progress? In his total frustration with all the talk and no action, which we've seen all too much of in Utah, Sen. Tsongas came up with this answer, which shows how the debate has deteriorated. Quoting the Senator from his November 26, 1979 speech on the Senate floor, "Experts believe that most oil came from plants and one-celled organisms. But making new oil from little-bitty plankton is not going to inspire Americans." "This nation's vision," said Tsongas, "must be bigger and better. If we are really serious about producing new oil, I suggest that the best solution is a major research and development program in DINOSAUR RESOURCES. We will literally raise them, bury them, and produce oil from them." As Songas points out we could be awash in oil within a few million years. it sounds somewhat amusing, maybe a little tragic the thought of raising dinosaurs because that's kind of thoughtful development we've seen in the recovery of our alternative forms of fossil fuels in Utah. As Congressman Marriott recently, disclosed Utah has 23.6 billion tons of mineable coal; ninety to 115 billion barrels of synthetic oil reserves from oil shale; twenty-five billion barrels of oil from tar sands, and 25 to 30 billion' barrels of heavy oil which has been hard to recover. Based on what we're hearing now. from Congress, isn't it time to stop talking and start producing ' our-, available resources? Blackmail gets a ; little tiresome after awhile. |
