We must cut energy costs by conserving

Energy is very much in the news these days.

In the background are gas prices that are still rising, mounting evidence that the effects of global warming may already be upon us, more war in the oil-rich Mideast and unprecedented power demands by consumers to keep our air conditioners going during an especially hot spell.

In the foreground, a number of crucial decisions are being debated: Should Congress end a 25-year ban and allow oil and natural gas drilling off of the Atlantic Coast, including off of Maine? Should we allow a huge industrial Liquified Natural Gas terminal to be built somewhere on the Maine coast? And coming up this week are public hearings on a proposal to build a large wind farm on the Redington Range in the Western Mountains wilderness, well within sight of the Appalachian Trail. Should the Land Use Regulation Commission allow rezoning for this mountaintop area so that the project can be built?

The Associated Press just surveyed the major candidates for governor for their positions on energy. Most support an LNG terminal somewhere on the Down East coast — as long as it’s locally approved. There’s support among them all for the development of wind power — as long as it’s locally approved. Most say offshore drilling in the Atlantic is a bad idea.

Morning Sentinel (Maine)