Show-Me State of Mind for August 20th, 2008

Why Does Graves Oppose Wind Energy?
Consumers are suffering under high gas and diesel prices, and the other cost increases that they cause. We need to provide relief for consumers now by creating a balanced energy policy.
First, we must create more of our own energy domestically. That's why I have called for immediately increasing drilling in Alaska and in our coastal waters, where oil companies already have millions of acres of leased land which they refuse to explore.
But, we can't forget about another form of renewable energy that is growing right here in Northwest Missouri: wind power. The wind turbines in Rock Port and King City are already producing electricity that will power thousands of homes and decrease our dependence on foreign fuels.
Wind farms are great for our country, as well as our communities. They create jobs and spur economic development in smaller cities and towns while generating local revenue. For example, King City's school district expects to receive more than $200,000 per year in additional funding as a direct result of the wind turbines.
Even though they can do so much for Missouri, our wind farms are at risk. In 135 days, the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy will expire. Experts say this will put the renewable energy industry into a tailspin, costing the U.S. 112,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment.
The partisan stalemate in Congress over renewing the tax credits is already making it more difficult for wind project developers to line up financing. Farmers and small business owners in the District tell me at least one major wind farm developer has now placed its entire project on hold awaiting the renewal of the credits. Of course, this is exactly what Exxon and Big Oil want to see. They don't want anyone to cut into their record profits or billions in tax giveaways.
Although he claims to support wind energy, Congressman Sam Graves has voted against the Production Tax Credit five times! Why? Well, maybe it has something to do with the fact that he has received more than $63,000 from the oil and gas industry since 2000. We need a member of Congress who will stand with our rural communities who are producing energy here at home, instead of with Exxon and Big Oil.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District

Show-Me State of Mind for August 13th, 2008

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

Barnes calls on Graves to Support Wind Farms

Kay Barnes, candidate for the 6th Congressional District, today once again called on Congressman Sam Graves to stop protecting the tax breaks for big oil companies like Exxon and instead fund the renewal of production tax credits needed to expand wind farm facilities in Northwest Missouri.
Barnes attended the dedication of the Loess Hills Wind Farm in Rock Port this morning where company officials stressed the need for Congress to immediately renew the tax credits for wind farms and other alternative energies. The credits are set to expire by the end of the year and future development of these alternative sources of energy are now on hold awaiting Congressional action.
Barnes stated, "Voters are angry because Washington is broken and they want change. When elected I will fight hard to pass legislation to take the tax breaks away from companies like Exxon and redirect those dollars to our wind farms and ethanol plants here right here in Northwest Missouri. Just a few weeks ago Congressman Sam Graves voted against the interests of Northwest Missouri and sided with Exxon and the other big oil companies to protect their tax breaks, and at today's dedication he tried to dodge the issue and blame everyone but himself. He once again is making Washington work for the corporate special interests and turning his back both the rural communities in this District and consumers everywhere struggling to pay these outrageously high gas prices."
On February 27, 2008, Congressman Graves voted against H.R. 5351, a bill which would redirect tax breaks to oil companies toward renewing the production tax credit for wind farms for three years and create a new tax credit for cellulosic ethanol. Just two weeks earlier, on February 13, Exxon Mobil donated $2,000 to Graves' reelection campaign.