Word on the Island: What should people know about U.S. energy?

Michael "Tim" Yonker, Boca Grande, former Exxon drilling engineer: "Fossil fuels are going to be with us for a long time - whether we like it or not."

Percy Angelo, Englewood, environmental attorney: "No other industry is as lightly regulated on the federal level."

Ken Smith, Philadelphia, Groundwater & Environmental Services Inc.: "We've just discovered the second-largest natural gas field in the world right here in the United States."

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Michael “Tim” Yonker, Boca Grande, former Exxon drilling engineer: “Fossil fuels are going to be with us for a long time — whether we like it or not.”

Percy Angelo, Englewood, environmental attorney: “No other industry is as lightly regulated on the federal level.”

Ken Smith, Philadelphia, Groundwater & Environmental Services Inc.: “We've just discovered the second-largest natural gas field in the world right here in the United States.”

Walter Meanwell, Boca Grande, discussion facilitator: “My paperwork got a rowboat symbol versus a yacht on the 10,000 acres I sold with a lease. I don't think I got top price.”

Deb Highsmith, Charlotte Harbor, Sierra Club chairwoman: “I'm not happy with the emissions being identified as coming off pipelines. They include a lot of poisonous chemicals such as benzene.”

Walter Meanwell, Boca Grande, discussion facilitator: "My paperwork got a rowboat symbol versus a yacht on the 10,000 acres I sold with a lease. I don't think I got top price."

Deb Highsmith, Charlotte Harbor, Sierra Club chairwoman: "I'm not happy with the emissions being identified as coming off pipelines. They include a lot of poisonous chemicals such as benzene."