Our Congressman Needs to Take Gas Prices Seriously
Americans are suffering under high gas prices. But instead of developing a realistic and commonsense energy policy, Washington has spent the last eight years lining the pockets of oil company executives.
Our country needs a real energy policy - a balanced policy that will wean us from our addiction to foreign oil and create jobs right here in Missouri. I believe we should increase domestic exploration of oil, including domestic drilling. I think we should start with the 68 million acres of federal lands that have been leased to oil companies but not used. Between 1999 and 2007, the number of drilling permits issued for development of public lands increased by more than 361 percent. The oil companies need to explore these lands, and they need to do it now.
The real problem is that Washington has relied on oil companies like Exxon to develop its energy strategy, and oil companies profit when prices are high. Less than two weeks ago, Exxon announced the highest quarterly profit of any U.S. company...ever! Just before breaking the news, Exxon cut another check - this one for $1,000 - to Congressman Sam Graves' campaign war chest. Let's not forget that Graves has received more than $63,000 from oil and gas companies since 2000.
You think that might be why he has consistently voted for more tax breaks for oil companies? And against incentives for renewable energy, such as the Production Tax Credit, that would create jobs here in Northwest Missouri?Big Oil has made big bucks with the help of buddies like Sam Graves. And you're paying for it at the pump.
Sam Graves' energy policy is to take orders from Exxon and the oil companies. And it's a policy that's worked great - for them. But what about us?
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
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