OIL/ENERGY POLICY
Lautenberg, Menendez Denounce Shortsighted House Drilling Legislation (Clean Ocean Action Press Release)
"Offshore drilling is off-limits near New Jersey. The cost of an oil spill to our coastal economy would be huge," said Lautenberg. "Our bill sends a clear message that we will not stand by and let big oil companies put the Jersey Shore in the path of the next big oil spill. Drilling is not the answer to rising gas prices – instead, we need to invest in energy efficient cars, fuels that burn cleaner and cost less, and smarter transportation options like mass transit."
"It is disturbing that many members of the House of Representatives seem to have already forgotten the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf that happened just last year. That is the only explanation for this legislation to weaken drilling safety standards and expedite oil leasing less than 100 miles from Cape May. These House proposals are dead on arrival in the U.S. Senate," said Menendez. "To underscore that point, we will reintroduce legislation to permanently ban coastal drilling from North Carolina to Maine. We cannot afford the risks oil drilling would pose to New Jersey's beautiful shoreline and its multi-billion dollar tourism and fishing industries, especially when the experts tell us that new offshore drilling will do nothing to reduce gas prices."
Sponsors Of Oil-Drilling Expansion Bill Received $8.8 Million In Industry Contributions
Obama: Nation can't drill its way out of soaring gas prices
"President Obama called for the elimination of billions of dollars in oil industry tax breaks Friday, while stressing that the United States can't drill its way out of high gas prices."
Senate prepares to go after Big Oil
Americans blame oil companies, politics, others for rising gasoline prices
According to the associated graphic, only 5% of the survey respondents said 'not drilling enough' was the main reason that gas prices has gone up recently.
ALTERNATIVES TO OIL
