API PRESIDENT SEES OPTIONS TO AVERT OIL CRISIS

  American Petroleum Institute President
  Charles DiBona said no options should be rejected to combat 
  growing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
      "No action should be ruled out--import fees or quotas,
  floor prices, tax incentives or other alternatives--while a
  national dialogue on the issue continues," DiBona said at a 
  paper institute conference in New York today.
      DiBona said there is no unanimity within the industry on
  how to stimulate energy production but there is consensus on
  removing several government policies that hinder investments in
  new prospects.
      DiBona said the windfall profit tax should be abolished
  immediately and current proposals for increased environmental
  regulations on acid rain and waste disposal should be not
  adopted. He also suggested that the Arctic National Wildlife
  Refuge in Alaska should be opened up for leasing to oil
  companies, DiBona said.
      "This is a battle the industry cannot afford to lose if the
  nation is to continue to benefit from Alaskan oil," DiBona
  said. Since 1986 U.S. oil production has fallen while
  consumption rose and that has raised dependence on imported
  oil, particularly from OPEC, DiBona said.
  

