Here’s the response from Senator Evan Bayh’s (D-IND), to the email I sent to his office (Ya, I know the it’s the House that’s taking a stand..). I can’t believe he expects the voters to believe he is for increased production but really, conservation will solve the problem! Another spineless politician.
Thank you for contacting me regarding domestic oil production. I appreciate your thoughts and understand your concerns on this important issue.
I firmly believe that reducing our nation’s oil dependence is the key to our nation’s economic stability and our national security. With rapidly increasing oil prices, we need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, now more than ever.
Due to the dramatic increase in gasoline prices over the past six months, many have called for increased oil drilling off our coasts, in the Gulf of Mexico , and in the Arctic Refuge as a way to alleviate the prices families, truckers, and farmers are paying at the pump.
Many experts agree, however, that we cannot drill our way out of this problem. U.S. demand for oil is about 25% of the world’s supply, but our known oil reserves are about three percent of the world’s oil resources.
Additionally, oil drilling in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the past several years. From 2000 to 2006, the number of offshore oil wells nearly doubled from 3,000 to nearly 6,000. Despite this significant increase, the price of gasoline is at record levels and has continued to climb well beyond $4.00 per gallon.
Even the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has concluded that increased offshore drilling would have no significant impact on gasoline prices and any benefits would not occur before 2030.
Despite these facts, I believe that developing a comprehensive energy policy includes responsible domestic production. That is why I supported the landmark Energy Policy Act of 2005 to increase domestic oil production and refining capacity.
I believe, however, we should use our resources and time more wisely by investing in advanced vehicle technologies and supporting fuel alternatives such as ethanol and biodiesel. Recently, I introduced the Dependence Reduction through Innovation in Vehicles and Energy Act or DRIVE Act. This act offers a realistic, bipartisan solution that will reduce our dependence on oil by 2.5 million barrels a day by 2016 - the same amount we currently import from the Middle East . We accomplish this goal through a number of steps, including increased production of biofuels, tax credits, and more research and development into new alternative energy technologies.
I also believe that the Federal Government must play a leading role. That is why I recently introduced the Oil Savings Act of 2008. This legislation requires the Federal Government to create the first-ever, government-wide action plan to reduce oil consumption by 10,000,000 barrels per day by 2030.
I appreciate you sharing your views with me regarding domestic energy production. I remain committed to promoting an energy strategy that encourages investment in technologies that develop alternative sources of energy and allow more efficient use of current energy supplies. Please rest assured should further legislation regarding domestic oil production come before the full Senate during the 110 th Congress, I will keep your views in mind.
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Office of Senator Evan Bayh
(202) 224-5623
Russell 463
Washington, D.C. 20510