Letters to the Editor — The Villagers Voice

Letter to the Editor: It’s Time For Energy Reality to Take Center Stage

April 12, 2022 by Kathy Sands

Submitted by Seth Whitehead <seth@iprb.org>

When it comes to energy, rhetoric sure seems to get a lot more attention than reality.

If many politicians and media outlets were to be believed, the “green” energy transition is just around the corner and the permanent cancellation of our hydrocarbon fuel-driven society is imminent. But in reality, we are going to need even more traditional energy sources such as oil and natural gas than we are currently using in the near future. And it’s not just the fossil fuel industry making that assertion. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: Illinois Oil Producers Have No Control Over Pump Prices

March 22, 2022 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Seth Whitehead, Executive Director, Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

As gasoline prices soar to unprecedented levels, the narrative that oil companies are price gouging at the pump is becoming quite prevalent. But as Politico recently reported, though many are blaming oil companies for high prices, “the facts don’t back them up.”

Facts are indeed a stubborn thing. [Read more...]

European Crisis Shows the Importance of Energy Security

February 11, 2022 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Seth Whitehead, Executive Director, Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

One of the few positive developments of 2020 was surprisingly overlooked. The United States was a net petroleum exporter for the first time since the Truman administration that year. In other words – America achieved its long-coveted goal of energy independence, an objective pursued by every president dating back to Richard Nixon. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: Importance of Affordable, Reliable Energy Cannot Be Overstated

January 21, 2022 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Seth Whitehead, Executive Director Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

Affordable, reliable energy. It’s something we all depend on. And it’s something most Americans have probably gotten used to taking for granted. That was especially true from about 2009 to 2019, as record U.S. oil and natural gas production led to energy costs dropping sharply at the same time food, education and healthcare costs soared.

But that changed in a big way last year, as policies aimed at decreasing traditional American energy production and distribution contributed to energy costs soaring more than 33 percent. As a result, two in 10 American households couldn’t pay at least one monthly energy bill in full. Another 18 percent kept the temperature in their home at an unhealthy or unsafe level. And more than a quarter of Americans sacrificed food or medicine in order to pay an energy bill. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: The Biden Administration is Right: We Need More American Oil

December 26, 2021 by Villagers Voice

By Seth Whitehead

After many months of denial, the Biden administration now admits something that was apparent to many Americans at the start of the year: We need more oil from U.S. soil. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told attendees at a recent industry gathering, “I hope you will hear me say that please, take advantage of the leases that you have, hire workers, get your rig count up.” [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: A Crude Oil Export Ban Could Send Pump Prices Even Higher

November 11, 2021 by Kathy Sands

USA Today reported on New Year’s Day 2020 that “$3 gas is becoming a distant memory” and “the main reason is the nation’s oil boom.” My how things have changed in just 23 months. U.S. oil production has fallen by about 1.5 million barrels per day since then and gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon have angry motorists remembering all too well sky-high pump prices they thought they’d never see again. That’s especially true here in Illinois, which has the second-highest gasoline taxes in the country. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: How Norris City Got Its Name

September 23, 2021 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Ruth Norris, Norris City

I wish to submit this record of events as the actual way Norris City got its name.

Emaline White and William Norris came to White County, Illinois, from Piny Flatts, Tennessee in early 1864. They first settled two miles west of the present day Norris City in a settlement called Shadsville. Later they lived in a log cabin on Indian Trail Road. Finally William and Emaline built a house across from the present W. D. Norris farm. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: Covid Treatment

September 23, 2021 by Villagers Voice

This is Steve West from Norris City. Food for thought...I hope you will publish this if you can.

I have three very close friends who have gotten COVID. They did not have the shot and when they went to emergency room, the first thing they were asked was, did they take the shot. When they said no, they were told “There is nothing we can do. You’re not dead. Go home and come back if you get worse, and we will put you on life support." [Read more...]