A Comprehensive Energy Plan: Cure for the Gas Crisis

By Brad Jewitt, Republican Nominee for U.S. Congress (Md.-Dist. 5)

Many Americans are struggling with the increased price of gasoline. In fact, the subject dominates newspaper headlines across the country. With many families gearing up for summer travel, news of higher prices at the pump may grow even more alarming.

But it doesn’t have to. In the coming weeks, Congress is scheduled to address our nation’s gasoline crisis. As a candidate running for District 5 in Maryland, I want you to know that President Bush and many representatives in Congress are fighting to solve this problem, and I strongly support their efforts.

Gas prices climbed during the spring for many reasons, the simplest being the law of supply and demand. Due to our dependence on foreign oil, we will potentially feel a sting in the pocketbook by any decrease in oil production -- prices tend to rise whenever demand increases. This typically is the case in the summer months in the United States, and China has also been demanding more oil recently. These adjustments in the oil market always affect prices.

But there are other factors behind the price of oil other than supply and demand. In the United States, oppressive government regulations have prevented us from opening a new oil refinery in the U.S. for the past 25 years, which reduces our capacity to refine crude oil. Very rarely will you ever find that government regulations reduce producers’ costs of doing business -- costs that are eventually passed on to consumers.

Since President Bush has been in office, Congress has had real opportunities to deal with our nation's gas prices. But some, like my opponent Rep. Steny Hoyer, voted "NO" on energy plans that would have gone a long way toward lowering gas prices. Since Congress first considered the president's energy packages in 2001, average gasoline prices have soared from $1.34 per gallon to more than $2.00 a gallon. Home heating oil costs have increased by 33 percent.

Most importantly, the U.S. has sent over $300 billion to foreign nations to meet our energy needs at home. Mr. Hoyer needs to explain to voters in Maryland why he voted against a plan that would have saved you money at the pump. I strongly support a comprehensive energy plan that promotes conservation of available energy, harnesses new energy, encourages the use of solar and wind power, and explores new technologies such as ethanol, clean coal and hydrogen power. Can my opponent say the same?

The most recent House-passed Energy Policy would have provided more than $3 billion in tax credits for the use of renewable energy in producing electricity and more than $2 billion over five years to develop hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to promote conservation. Instead of supporting policies that would encourage private enterprise to explore alternative energy sources, some Democrats say we should release some of our precious oil reserves as a "quick fix" for the gas crisis, which clearly is not the answer.

Beyond saving us only about 1 to 2.5 cents per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration, releasing our reserves would leave America vulnerable and without any reserve supply of petroleum in case of a national emergency. If our goal is to reduce the impact of increasing gas prices, we need a plan that will prevent rising prices in the first place. Our best solution is a comprehensive national energy plan that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lessen bureaucratic restrictions placed on our own oil companies, promote conservation and new technologies, and increase our use of renewable energy sources.

President Bush is concerned about these issues, and so am I. Apparently Mr. Hoyer is content to oppose policies that could ease the financial burdens placed on hard-working Americans, small business owners, and others affected by high prices at the pump.

When it comes to decreasing the price of gas, I will work toward real solutions -- the kind that won't compromise your security or your budget. As your representative, you will always be able to count on a "YES" from me for a comprehensive energy plan that works.

Brad Jewitt is the Republican Nominee for U.S. Congress in Maryland 's 5th Congressional District. To learn more about the Jewitt for Congress campaign, please visit www.jewitt2004.com , or call (301) 486-0089.