We consume nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day in this country. A 30-million barrel release will not affect, in any significant way, the problems we are facing. That is a fact. Oil demand is not elastic. That is the crux of this problem.
People have to have it.
If you are traveling to work in your automobile and there is no other way to get to work for an overwhelming number of American citizens, students, workers, and kids going to school you must use gasoline and pay the price it costs. Third World nations, began using more automobiles and electricity, increasing demand for oil, using more energy. We salute them for that. The life span for people in countries that have readily available electricity and energy is almost one-half longer than for those in countries that do not have it. We ought to celebrate poor countries being able to improve their standard of living.