N015  0932  14 Nov 74
ENERGY
BY WILLIAM D. SMITH
           (C) 1974 NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
   NEW YORK -- THE NATION'S ENERGY PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN 
STUDIED AND TALKED TO DEATH, BUT VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE
TO ALLEVIATE THEM, ACCORDING TO A NUMBER OF TOP OIL 
INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES.
   THE EXECUTIVES, SOME OF WHOM WERE INTERVIEWED AT THE 
RECENT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE 
IN NEW YORK, INDICATED THAT THE CHIEF BLOCK STANDING 
IN THE PATH OF A SUCCESSFUL SOLUTION OF AMERICA'S ENERGY
PROBLEMS WAS CONTINUING GOVERNMENT INACTION ON CRUCIAL
ISSUES.
   HARRY BRIDGES, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE SHELL OIL COMPANY, SAID THAT "THE GREATEST MISTAKE BY THE
GOVERNMENT SO FAR,  AND THIS INCLUDES THE ADMINISTRATION AS
WELL AS CONGRESS, IS ITS FAILURE TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED
NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY."
   BOB R. DORSEY, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GULF
OIL CORPORATION, SAID THAT THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION
IN TERMS OF THE NATION'S ENERGY FUTURE WOULD BE FOR THE 
GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE A PROGRAM "FOR ACHIEVING THE PRODUCTION
OF ADEQUATE DOMESTIC ENERGY SUPPLIES IN THE UNITED STATES."
   "THE VERY ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH A PROGRAM WILL BE OF
APPRECIABLE HELP IN  PERSUADING THE EXPORTING NATIONS TO 
REDUCE THE PRICE OF THEIR OIL," HE SAID
   CHARLES J. DIBONA, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 
A.P.I. AND FORMERLY NO. 2 MAN AT THE FEDERAL ENERGY 
ADMINISTRATION, SAID:
   "IF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT DOESN'T TAKE ANY SERIOUS
ACTIONS TO HELP ITSELF OUT OF ITS ENERGY PROBLEMS, HOW CAN
ANYONE EXPECT THE ARABS AND OTHER OIL-PRODUCING STATES TO
TAKE THE UNITED STATES SERIOUSLY WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT WORLD
ENERGY PROBLEMS?"
   THE OILMEN LISTED AS VITAL ISSUES THE DEREGULATION OF
NATURAL GAS PRICES, OFFS ORE DRILLING LEASES, STRIP MINING
OF COAL AND AN EXAMINATION OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
ON WATER AND AIR AS WELL AS PLANT SITING AND CONSTRUCTION.
   MOST OF THE EXECUTIVES DID  NOT  FORESEE ANY MAJOR OR
LONG-TERM DROP IN THE PRICE OF OIL.
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(MOVED  NOV. 14)
 P/EB1230P
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