GREGG: ENERGY POLICY NEEDS TO GET BACK ON TRACK

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 31, 2008

Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG: ENERGY POLICY NEEDS TO GET BACK ON TRACK

Washington—U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today expressed his disappointment that the Senate was not able to bring a much-needed energy vote to conclusion on Thursday as the Senate adjourned in order to offer Americans real solutions and a comprehensive energy policy to address the nation’s growing energy crisis that would begin to lower oil and gas prices for American families.

Sen. Gregg stated, “The energy crisis is the number one domestic issue facing families and businesses across the nation as oil and gas prices remain at record highs, affecting how people travel, commute to work, and feed their families. And in New Hampshire, and other cold weather states, the rising cost of heating oil is creating real concern as to how folks will afford to keep their homes warm this winter.  It is unfortunate that my colleagues are unable to find common ground on real energy solutions to begin to find relief for drivers, families, and business who are having trouble paying their bills.

“It is clear that America needs a comprehensive, balanced energy policy that lowers prices by addressing the basic laws of supply and demand.  Simply put, we need to produce more energy and consume less.  To do that, we need more drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and oil-shale exploration in our western states. We need more nuclear power and new technologies that will reduce our need for foreign sources of oil and gas, such as plug-in hybrid cars.  Regrettably none of these options received a single vote after two weeks of Senate debate.  This is disappointing, and it should not have happened before we left Washington.  After the recess, I hope that we will roll up our sleeves and finally advance proposals that will directly impact oil and gas prices.  The American people rightly expect that this Congress will stop playing politics, finally have a meaningful debate, and cast some votes on good ideas that will help put America back on the path towards energy independence.”