N.E. lawmakers aren't energy friendly

IT WAS a pleasure to read Jeff Jacoby's Nov. 13 column, ''The real oil profiteers," which discussed the alleged windfall profits of the oil industry. As one who spent about 30 years in the industry, I found it refreshing to read a well-researched column that didn't lambaste the industry for earning a profit.

Congressional leaders from New England are usually the first to cry foul when the profits of the energy industry are high. Ironically, they are also the first to cry foul when supply shortages emerge. They are against the construction of any oil refineries in their region. Many of them even oppose the most passive form of energy production -- wind farms like the one proposed for the waters off Nantucket. And they are against extracting crude oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. When it comes to energy, they seem to be against just about everything.

THOMAS H. L. CURTIS
North Weymouth