Senator Mitch McConnell: "We Need To Find More Energy And Use Less." I AGREE!
Read the op-ed, or read it below:
The Courier-Journal editorial board believes Kentuckians ought to pay higher gasoline taxes. You've held that position for a long time, and aggressively promote it every chance you get. And on this issue, you're in total agreement with my opponent.
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I believe differently. I'm convinced Kentuckians don't want their taxes to increase, especially at a time of record high gas prices. Talk about adding insult to injury.
There's a better way. I have a plan to help solve this energy crisis, bring down the price at the pump and reduce our dependence on Middle East oil.
The answer is simple: We need to find more energy and use less. This will take a three-pronged approach of greater energy exploration, new technological innovation and more conservation.
America is the third-largest oil-producing country in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Russia. Yet, you would never know it by the extreme restrictions placed on energy exploration here at home. With gas prices topping $4 a gallon, the majority of Americans believe we need to unlock more of our own natural resources to help lower them.
We should allow responsible energy exploration off the Outer Continental Shelf, at least 50 miles from the coast, where states choose to do so. After all, the offshore areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts contain more oil than total U.S. imports from all Persian Gulf countries over the last 15 years combined -- yet 85 percent of this area is currently off limits.
We should also scrap an ill-conceived moratorium on developing oil shale in our Western states, which could yield three times the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia.
Innovation to develop new sources of energy is important, too. That's why I support greater federal funding for research and development for plug-in electric cars and trucks, and clean-coal technology, a resource Kentucky has in abundance.
Finally, we need greater conservation efforts, which is why I supported the first increase in fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks in three decades.
Taken as a whole, these proposals can win bipartisan support in Congress and be signed into law. Kentuckians deserve no less from their elected officials. I intend to keep working in the Senate to pass this much-needed legislation so we can lower the price of gas and reduce our reliance on Middle East oil.
MITCH McCONNELL
Washington 20005
Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Louisville Republican, is seeking re-election this November. -- Editor.
Editor's comment: I am in agreement with the three pronged approach of CONSERVATION, FINDING AND USING MORE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES, and SOME LIMITED EXPLORATION (as a LAST resort). For immediate relief, we need to go after oil speculators who have broken our antitrust laws and release fuel from the strategic oil reserves.
What about you?
The Courier-Journal editorial board believes Kentuckians ought to pay higher gasoline taxes. You've held that position for a long time, and aggressively promote it every chance you get. And on this issue, you're in total agreement with my opponent.
Advertisement
I believe differently. I'm convinced Kentuckians don't want their taxes to increase, especially at a time of record high gas prices. Talk about adding insult to injury.
There's a better way. I have a plan to help solve this energy crisis, bring down the price at the pump and reduce our dependence on Middle East oil.
The answer is simple: We need to find more energy and use less. This will take a three-pronged approach of greater energy exploration, new technological innovation and more conservation.
America is the third-largest oil-producing country in the world behind Saudi Arabia and Russia. Yet, you would never know it by the extreme restrictions placed on energy exploration here at home. With gas prices topping $4 a gallon, the majority of Americans believe we need to unlock more of our own natural resources to help lower them.
We should allow responsible energy exploration off the Outer Continental Shelf, at least 50 miles from the coast, where states choose to do so. After all, the offshore areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts contain more oil than total U.S. imports from all Persian Gulf countries over the last 15 years combined -- yet 85 percent of this area is currently off limits.
We should also scrap an ill-conceived moratorium on developing oil shale in our Western states, which could yield three times the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia.
Innovation to develop new sources of energy is important, too. That's why I support greater federal funding for research and development for plug-in electric cars and trucks, and clean-coal technology, a resource Kentucky has in abundance.
Finally, we need greater conservation efforts, which is why I supported the first increase in fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks in three decades.
Taken as a whole, these proposals can win bipartisan support in Congress and be signed into law. Kentuckians deserve no less from their elected officials. I intend to keep working in the Senate to pass this much-needed legislation so we can lower the price of gas and reduce our reliance on Middle East oil.
MITCH McCONNELL
Washington 20005
Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Louisville Republican, is seeking re-election this November. -- Editor.
Editor's comment: I am in agreement with the three pronged approach of CONSERVATION, FINDING AND USING MORE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES, and SOME LIMITED EXPLORATION (as a LAST resort). For immediate relief, we need to go after oil speculators who have broken our antitrust laws and release fuel from the strategic oil reserves.
What about you?
Labels: Stick with Mitch
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 3:33 PM
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