CAES News
SHORT-TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK DOESN’T RELIEVE PRESSURE FOR OCS LEGISLATION
Congress Must Finish the Job and Pass OCS Bill
October 10, 2006
Washington, DC -- The Consumer Alliance for Energy Security (CAES) today released the following statement in reaction to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Winter Fuels Outlook:
“While today’s EIA report provides some short-term good news for U.S. consumers and energy users, we cannot rely on good weather as a solution to chronically high U.S. energy prices which are up considerably since 2000-2001. Energy prices will continue to remain near historic levels as long as Congress fails to enact legislation into law that will safely provide access to the abundant supplies of American energy on the Outer Continental Shelf.
“Unlike last year, U.S. consumers and energy users may get lucky this winter with fewer hurricanes and better weather. But luck shouldn’t be the cornerstone of an energy policy. What consumers need is greater price certainty and supply reliability in the energy marketplace. Dependence on unstable, hostile foreign nations for our energy puts our national security at risk and creates peaks and valleys for energy prices that disrupts economic growth, costs American jobs and hurts working families.
“U.S. households are using 25% less energy than they did 25 years ago, but conservation alone will not get the job done. The way to get the job done is for Congress to remove current restrictions on exploration and safely expand access to energy supplies on the OCS. Consumers have done their part. It’s time Congress does theirs.”
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CONTACT:
Craig G. Veith
(703) 717-9816
craig.veith@craigveith.com