In any event, this country needs to look to the future -- not to the past -- if it's to wean itself from foreign oil.

Some experts worry that politicians will seize on Chevron's discovery of a deposit as large as 15 billion barrels of oil as reason to back off the call for higher fuel efficiency standards in vehicles or incentives for alternative fuel development.

Locally, The Herald has reported that prices at the pump have dropped 30 cents or more in recent days, causing some motorists to say they now felt better about driving their gas guzzlers.

One drawback to such reports is they reinforce the skeptics who claim the oil companies deliberately play on the public's fears so they can gouge customers.

Short-term fluctuations in gasoline prices can be affected by many things, including the weather, the threat of terrorist attacks or the temporary shutdown of an oil pipeline. Long term, industry observers say, global oil production either already has peaked or will within a few decades. At that point, unless dramatic changes are made in the way the world consumes oil, the supply will be depleted very quickly.

Although alternative sources of energy exist, the global economy is expected to be dependent on oil for the foreseeable future, and as growth in China, India and other awakening economic superpowers accelerates, the picture will become even gloomier.

Today, the United States imports 60 percent of its oil. Even if the recently announced reserves in the Gulf of Mexico prove as big as some industry observers predict, the maximum expected flow would be 800,000 barrels a day -- a tiny fraction of the 21 million gallons we now consume daily. At best, the newly discovered supply may give this nation a little more breathing room.

That's why it's reassuring to read that South Carolina is considered a leader in the effort to develop hydrogen fuel technology. The Savannah River Plant has been designated as one of 12 national labs, and as much as $10 billion could be invested in the state and thousands of jobs created. Earlier this year, the Center for Hydrogen Research opened outside the federal nuclear complex, and several major auto makers are testing hydrogen-powered vehicles there --with support from the U.S. government, which launched a $1.2 billion initiative in 2003. Other players in the state's "dream team" of hydrogen research include the University of South Carolina's national fuel cell center, Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research and the James E. Clyburn Transportation Center at S.C. State University.

Hydrogen fuel technology is by no means a sure thing, but it's good to know the Palmetto State at least has a horse in this race.

IN SUMMARY
South Carolina is considered a player in race to develop hydrogen fuel technology.