Rather than obstruct people who are trying to profitably exploit a grossly unreasonable public demand, i.e., Standing Rock, one should examine the reason for their doing so.

The largest waste of valuable oil in this country (or more likely the world) is the ridiculous load factor of the common car as used in this country and mostly throughout the world. Most cars run at a load factor of around 27 percent, in other words, three of their seats do virtually nothing throughout the vehicle’s life.

In this regard, one should note that electric cars, whether of rational or present capacity, ultimately derive their power from fossil sources. We could, of course, go solar, but there is something of a problem that the area of cells required is of the order of Germany’s total area, and that must be spread around the world. Difficult on the wet or Pacific side.

The big picture needs viewing, not the “not in my back yard” syndrome. We might consider nuclear power, which has so far had the negative impact of killing 26 or more people. One remembers the Three Mile Island disaster with its death toll of zero due to early design faults.

A great deal of effort and goodwill is presently expended to try to keep things acceptable; if you look a hundred years ahead, you will notice that the present efforts are totally futile. Fossil energy is just a flash in the pan; it will continue to be used, probably with the present appalling inefficiency until it runs out. In the meantime, you can satisfy your conscience as you will. Hopefully somebody somewhere is looking for answers rather than obstructions.

R.L. CREEDON

Oceanside, California

Port Townsend