HOMEPAGE > FRED IN THE NEWS
Dowagiac Daily News
June 19, 2008
Upton echoes President’s call for American-made energy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, top Republican on the House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, applauded President Bush's call Wednesday for Congress to lift the ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf and pursue additional measures to boost domestic oil production.
The United States currently imports 70 percent of the nation’s oil and is estimated to import as much as 88 percent of its petroleum needs by 2012.
The nation's overall energy needs are expected to increase nearly 50 percent by 2030.
While global oil production fell by 126,000 barrels a day in 2007, consumption grew by a million barrels a day.
India’s and China’s energy consumption continues to grow by more than 10 percent a year, and that consumption will continue to sharply escalate as one third of the world’s population enters the industrial age.
“Energy prices drive our economy - and we owe it to Michigan’s working families who are struggling to make ends meet to pursue long-term solutions to address our energy needs. If we fail to act, we will all be longing for the ‘good old days’ of $4 gas,” said Upton. “By voting to expand domestic exploration, Congress will send an immediate message to the world oil market that we are serious about increasing our domestic supply. Let's unlock our resources and chart our nation on a course toward energy independence, fortifying our nation’s energy supply for generations to come.” |
