Energy measure may put us on the right road

Re “Bush Signs Overhaul of U.S. Energy Policy,” Aug. 9

The fundamental problem with energy in the U.S. is the lack of attention it has received for at least two decades. Now we want oil prices rolled back quickly, and more electricity produced more reliably without emitting greenhouse gases.

With Congress finally providing energy legislation, flawed as it must be, perhaps we can get back on track. Rather than giveaways, the package of incentives is vital if we are to move toward less dependency and cleaner production. We need those provisions to start building nuclear plants again, and to find domestic fossil fuels and use them more cleanly. It took a lot of neglect to get into this much trouble, and it will take time and investment to significantly improve things.

EDWIN A. KARLOW

Riverside