Duncan Takes Additional Steps To Bring Down Energy Prices

Washington, DC -- Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) today announced three additional initiatives to bring down energy costs.

“My constituents are extremely frustrated by the lack of action to bring down energy prices, and so am I.  There are alternatives out there, but attempts to pass bills that would increase domestic energy production and reduce our dependency on foreign sources continue to be blocked,” said Duncan.  “The national average price of a gallon of gas has risen to $4.11.  I do not know how high the price of gas has to go for the Democratic leadership to realize that the status quo is not working and Congress must act.”

Congressman Duncan today co-sponsored House Resolution 1282 encouraging the President to lift the ban on offshore drilling.  The resolution supports drilling for oil 50 to 200 miles beyond a state’s shoreline.  Even with the use of binoculars, this drilling would not be seen from the beach.

Second, Rep. Duncan today sent a strongly-worded letter to President Bush urging him to lift the ban on offshore drilling, regardless of whether or not Congress passes a resolution.  He wrote:

“Two-thirds of the counties in the United States are losing population.  If gas prices go higher, it could put the final nail in the coffin of many small towns and rural areas, because their citizens have to drive further distances to work and to meet other needs…

Thus far, the Democratic leadership has not allowed the 110th Congress to even vote on efforts to increase domestic oil production.  But our Country cannot afford inaction, and any further delay will continue driving our energy costs higher and higher.

I strongly encourage you to repeal the current Presidential Directive that bans new production in the Outer Continental Shelf.  Repealing this prohibition will signal a new era in our Nation’s energy policies and will help bring the price of oil down.”

Third, the Congressman today signed a discharge petition to immediately bring H.R. 2208, the Clean Liquid Fuel Act, to the Floor of the House for a vote.  This bipartisan bill permits the approval of loans to businesses that convert coal into liquid.  Language contained in the bill clearly states that the work must be done in an environmentally safe way.  According to the Department of Energy, there is enough coal to last for 250 years.

“While it may be partially true, as some Democrats say, that we cannot drill our way out of this problem, it is also true that we cannot get our Nation out of this crisis without drilling.  The Democratic Majority has gone so far as to refuse to consider appropriations bills because they do not want to be forced to vote on drilling.  What this means is that appropriations bills that include important funding for cancer research and protecting our Country’s borders may not receive adequate funds because the Democratic leadership is afraid they might lose a vote on increasing U.S. oil production.”

Two weeks ago, Congressman Duncan called the White House urging President Bush to address the Nation on domestic energy production and explain what can be done to bring costs down, or at least prevent them from rising any higher.

“It is my Constitutional responsibility as a Member of Congress to represent the people of East Tennessee, the overwhelming majority of whom favor increased domestic energy production and research on renewable energy sources.  Apparently, the Democratic Majority is not concerned how their continued inaction has caused much higher gas prices, but I am.  I will continue to push until there is a turnaround on energy costs.”