
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 11, 1991                   TAG: 9103110297
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A/8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DECREASE DEMAND, DON'T BOOST OUTPUT

THE NEW Bush energy plan's emphasis on nuclear power and expanded oil drilling, together with deregulation of natural-gas prices, indicates higher prices, higher risks to the environment and higher government spending.

I wonder why the effort to promote energy conservation and to tap existing resources of coal, wind power, solar energy and similar low-impact sources is overlooked.

In a supply-and-demand economy, decreasing demand costs less than increasing (and depleting) supply. I hope that voices will be heard urging Congress to insist on incentives to encourage mass-transit systems, solar-home designs and more efficient automobiles. That would be a real national energy policy.

WILLIAM J. MODICA

SALEM

by CNB