Alaska drilling needed

The latest oil import figures are alarming. The nation's dependence on foreign oil is growing at a time when Mideast instability is worsening. The U.S. imported 46.2 percent of its oil last year, the highest level since 1977.

Not all oil imports come from the Mideast -- much of it comes from Venezuela, a new steady, stable supplier that wasn't available in the '70s. Even so, concerns are rightfully being raised in Congress.

Experts agree that if imports continue to rise at their present rate, America will be importing between 68 to 71 percent of its oil by 2015. That's altogether too much, not just for economic reasons, but as it relates to our national security.

The world's most powerful nation must not become reliant on foreign sources, even friendly ones, for so much of its oil. There are two proposals now making the rounds in Congress to deal with the problem.

The first is that old, bitter bromide to raise taxes on petroleum products, especially imported oil, and to boost regulations on autos to burn less fuel. This is a sure prescription for an economic downturn, if not recession.

The higher taxes would supposedly be used to underwrite research and development of alternative fuels. That's all taxpayers need -- new federal giveaways to corporate welfare moocher Archer Daniels Midland for ethanol, a phony corn-based fuel substitute.

Another plan, urged by Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, makes a lot more sense: open up a small Arctic National Wildlife Refuge area to domestic oil producers. This is not a new idea either, but it's always sure to get the eco-radicals to foam at the mouth, although the only reason to be opposed is pure stubbornness.

Ten years ago the U.S. Department of Interior reported that advancing technologies made oil exploration possible without damaging the area's sensitive environment. If that was true in 1987, it's even truer in 1997. The agency went on to recommended that 1.5 million acres of ANWR's 19.8 million total acres be opened up to oil producers.

So let's stop the stall and get on with it!