Markey: Bush, Cheney, McCain Turning GOP into ‘Gas and Oil Party’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4081
Cong. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836
Markey: Bush, Cheney, McCain Turning GOP into ‘Gas and Oil Party’
WASHINGTON (June 18, 2008) – Rep. Ed Markey decried the drill-drill-drill policies of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Senator McCain today, and called on the president to support legislation that would call Big Oil’s bluff by requiring the oil companies to use the 68 million acres they already own and are not using, rather than asking for more public land.
Below is the statement of Rep. Markey, Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming:
“The shortsighted, drill-first policies pushed by President Bush and Senator McCain is turning the GOP into the Gas and Oil Party.
“The oil companies already own 68 million acres of drillable land and sea, which is the size of Georgia and Illinois combined, but they’re not producing oil there. Today’s call for more land and sea is nothing more than a drilling decoy, and Democrats in Congress are calling their bluff.
“President Bush and Senator McCain have become the ventriloquist’s doll for Big Oil, simply repeating a fossil fuel wish list that was so preposterous, even the Republicans controlled Congress refused to adopt it. President Bush and Senator McCain should stand up to Big Oil and tell them to use the land they already own before asking for more public land.
“Democrats in Congress are calling their bluff by proposing legislation that will force Big Oil to use it or lose it, imposing a fee on unused oil leases, and using that revenue to fund energy efficiency and assistance programs that will help American families.
“Democrats in Congress have already started putting America on a long-term path towards energy independence by increasing fuel economy standards and the production of advanced biofuels. Democrats have made multiple attempts to push for renewable energy alternatives but have been blocked by the president. We are looking to the future. President Bush and Senator McCain are stuck in the past, singing the same song they have for years, with lyrics written by Big Oil.”
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The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to increase the visibility and priority given to America's oil dependence and global warming challenges. It is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and will actively explore the solutions, science and progress on these pressing issues during the 110th Congress.
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