MEN OF PRINCIPLE

As the law now stands, the strategic Petroleum Reserves can be tapped only in time of war or national emergency. These (four) reserves are oil fields in various stages of development.

Under House Bill HR 49, they are to be removed from their national defense roles and converted to a general national reserve, of which only a minor part would be made available for military use. The proposed legislation could permit unlimited production of the largest proven reserve (Elk Hills, California) to be sold cheaply without using the proceeds to develop remote and undeveloped reserves (in Alaska).

The bill was approved by the House Interior Committee, but rejected by the Armed Services Committee. How it will fare on the House floor is unknown, but there is little doubt that the most fervent environmentalists and conservationists in the House will stand up as one man to demand that the Elk Hills reserve be depleted, ravished, raped and looted. And then on to Alaska for more spoils.

How about the caribou? And oil spills? And the permafrost?

Man is more important than the caribou, they will presumably say, for they are high-minded men of principle, and the principle is this: It all depends on whose ox is being gored.