Sununu calls for ‘balanced’ energy plan

U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) is calling for a national energy plan that would reduce historic energy prices.

Sununu said the plan should focus on conservation efforts, investing in renewable energy sources and increasing domestic production of oil.

"We absolutely have to take a balanced approach," Sununu said on a conference call with reporters. "We have to move away from ideology that says we can't do this or we can't do that and look at opportunities to reduce energy and find and produce more energy."

Sununu also used the opportunity to criticize his opponent, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury).

"Jeanne Shaheen has been clear that she is opposed to any new production whether it's in the interior, offshore or in northern Alaska," he said. "So this week I'm working to get the vote on alternative energy tax credits, new production alternatives and also to increase low-income heating assistance."

Kate Bedingfield, Shaheen's communications director, said Shaheen favors increasing domestic sources of oil.

"This is just the latest excuse from John Sununu for a record of loyally supporting the Bush energy agenda that puts Big Oil ahead of New Hampshire families," Bedingfield said in a statement. "Jeanne Shaheen believes that we should increase domestic production, but she thinks we should do it by having the oil companies drill on the 68 million acres they currently lease but don't drill - rather than lifting the offshore drilling ban that would jeopardize our environment and our tourism industry, which is a critical piece of our economy."

The freshman senator would not speculate why oil has decreased over the past week.

"I can't speculate about the daily moves in the price of oil and any politician that does is misleading you about what they know and what they don't know," Sununu said. "In the immediate and long-term is an issue of supply-and-demand. We need to work to use less, to conserve, to invest in alternatives and to produce more and to do it with the technology we know is available."

Over the past two days a barrel of oil has fallen $5 and is down $20 since reaching a high of $147 dollars a barrel.

Sununu's announcement comes during a week in which Shaheen is touring the state discussing gas prices.

See Also:

-Sununu Calls for Comprehensive National Energy Policy in Senate Floor Speech

-Jeanne Shaheen discuses proposals to lower gas prices and help New Hampshire families struggling in today's economy

-Shaheen's energy hypocrisy