After seven years of dangerous energy policies, Oregon families are reeling from the effects of rising gas prices. When we should have been investing in renewable energy and becoming more efficient, the Bush administration kept walking the same, dangerous path. They’re doing it again by proposing we drill in the Arctic and along our precious coasts.

Opening up new areas to drilling can take 10-20 years to produce oil, but people need relief today. This is why I propose we release oil stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is now 97% full. This has been done before, and in 1991 it reduced the cost of oil by one-third.

Although we urgently need a long term strategy to remedy the Bush administration’s failed energy policies, Oregonians also need immediate relief.  This week I introduced a bill that would immediately reduce the impact of high gas prices by providing Americans with a range of transportation options.

Read More about my Choices for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008.