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Web posted September 22, 1997

Editor: The Chronicle:

The Chronicle recently fell victim to a misleading propaganda campaign in its Sept. 5 editorial ``Alaska drilling needed.'' While The Chronicle is right to voice concern about America's dependence on oil imports, it is misguided in its belief that the solution is drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Before advocating drilling in the refuge, The Chronicle should consider the source of its information. Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Alaska's congressional delegation have argued for years that we must drill in the refuge because of our dependence on foreign oil, even while they successfully fought to lift an export ban that prevented the shipment of Alaskan oil overseas. So, while they continue to fuel fears that our dependence on foreign oil presents a national security risk, they have begun to export American oil to meet the demands of foreign nations, including China!

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the last 5 percent of Alaska's North Slope not open to oil exploration or drilling, and despite claims by multinational oil corporations and their allies in Congress, the refuge would not curb our dependence on foreign oil.

Given daily U.S. oil consumption, the current average estimate of the amount of oil beneath the refuge, 898 million barrels, would provide the nation with only 51 day's worth of fuel, according to a report by the National Resources Defense Council.

Drilling in the refuge would destroy one of America's last great wilderness areas, while lining the pockets of multinational corporations.

If The Chronicle wants to ``get on with'' protecting our national security, it should stop believing the propaganda of oil industry supporters and take a real look at protecting our interests. It should stop looking for quick fix and ``get on with'' improving America's energy policies and secure our nation by protecting its beautiful land.

James Hudson, Augusta