OPINION:
Gas prices have risen more than 100 percent in the past four years. The Obama administration seems to want to squelch offshore drilling, which could help provide American independence from foreign oil, reduce U.S. conflicts with Iran over oil passageways and increase revenue for coastal states that could raise revenue and pay off debt.
One state, however, stands to lose a particularly large amount if the current trend is allowed to continue: Alaska. Many Alaskans live in small villages where there are few permanent jobs, and they are dependent on the state’s oil revenue for a significant portion of their income. If the administration does not increase drilling permits there, these people stand to lose some of their livelihood. Also, because Alaska receives significantly more federal support per capita than any other state, opening up drilling there would increase the flow of funds to state coffers and reduce the need for federal subsidy.
KURT M. KLEIER
San Francisco
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