More state politicians are pushing for oil rigs off South Carolina’s coast. Lieutenant Governor André Bauer joined Katy Dawson (our state’s Republican Party chair) and U.S. Senator, Jim DeMint (R-SC) in endorsing the “Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less.” campaign.
A press release quoted Bauer as saying: “Escalating gas prices are hurting our seniors each and every day. Later this year, during our winter months, seniors will see dramatically increased costs to heat their homes. The Office on Aging works closely with seniors on fixed incomes who tell me of their hardships endured by the escalating costs of fuel, which directly impacts the increased costs of food and healthcare. Many times, our seniors are forced to cut back on food and medicine to pay for fuel. We owe it to them to explore domestic drilling options, while working on solutions regarding alternative fuels.”
Also, though not endorsing this campaign, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn joined others in calling for President Bush to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
You can see a full list of the folks endorsing the “Drill Now” campaign here. Also on that list: U.S. Senator, Jim DeMint (R-SC), and
State Representatives Nathan Ballentine, Eric Bedingfield and Jeff Duncan.
The campaign’s originating organization American Solutions for Winning the Future was founded by former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.
We previously reported on the Republican chair’s endorsement of the plan and the momentum shift to see oil rigs off S.C.’s coast.
Critics of increased oil production have been quick to point out that it’s a lack of refineries, not crude oil, that is causing gas prices to go so high. Meaning that both increased oil production and a release of the Strategic Petroleum Reserves would do little more than cosmetically adjust things.
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More coverage
- The Post and Courier: Brief write up of the endorsement
- S.C. Hotline Press: A copy of the release
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2:43 pm
It’s true that releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve will do next to nothing to alleviate the ever-rising cost of fuel, and the Reserve should be left alone for other reasons as well.
We certainly do need more refining capacity, because all the crude oil on the planet means nothing to us or energy prices if it can’t be refined. That said, opening up oil production in previously off-limits areas will go a long way towards reduce our dependency on foreign oil, which will have a long-term healthy impact on fuel prices.
If we continue to let OPEC countries hold all the cards, they can control the oil spigot, and even turn it off at any time. If we can significantly increase the supply of oil within the U.S., they won’t have quite so much power.
— Posted by Viga (not verified).Post your comment