Sununu blames high oil prices on Democrats' unwillingness to drill

U.S. Sen. John Sununu: Getty Images photoEchoing comments that have been made by many Republican lawmakers, U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) emphasized today his commitment to offshore drilling as an integral part of his energy plan.

On a conference call with reporters, Sununu said he believed that energy prices were currently a major concern for New Hampshire voters.

"We have huge problems with energy prices," Sununu said. "It hurts our economy, hurts businesses and hurts families."

The senator said that while he supports conservation and investment in alternative energy - which would be "a great difference to our economy as well as our environment" - there also had to be increases in domestic oil production in currently restricted areas. Such a move is opposed by most Democrats, including Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) who is challenging Sununu's re-election.

"Jeanne Shaheen and the liberals have said no to increases in domestic production," Sunnu said. "You have to ask how high they will let prices rise."

He noted that while the Democrats have been in control of congress, oil prices have risen by 80 percent. Reporters later challenged this assertion, asking the senator how high prices would be now if the Republicans lead congress and pointing out that prices have risen 300 percent during President Bush's term.

Sununu's later included the Bush administration as being responsible party to energy price increases. During his earlier statements, he had mentioned his opposition to the administration's 2003 and 2005 energy bills.

"I'm not laying fault on one or another because we haven't been able to take the steps we need to take," he said.

Responding to a question from a reporter, Sununu said that he broadly agreed with recent comments made by Shaheen about the role of speculation in oil prices and the need to regulate it.

"I'm sure it has an effect, but it's very difficult to tell how much of an effect," Sununu said. He added that he would be in favor of "anything we can do that can improve the disclosure of who the traders are and what positions they take."

He added that his proposals would likely not have an immediate effect on prices.

"This will not happen overnight, and it's naïve for politicians should say it will happen overnight," Sununu said. "But that's no reason not to start now.

"John Sununu says Wall Street speculation is part of the problem, yet he has consistently voted against closing the Enron loophole and cracking down on the speculators who are driving up the cost of gas for NH families," Shaheen spokesperson Kate Beddingfield responded in an email to PolitickerNH.com. "Instead, he's chosen to protect billion dollar Wall Street traders and the big oil companies, all while taking over 220K for his campaign from oil and gas companies. Nothing is a bigger part of the problem in Washington than John Sununu's special interest giveaways."