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When thousands of people donate no more than $100 per person per election, we can build a campaign without money from special interests. _______________________ But it's about more than money. We need your energy and your enthusiasm, too. Sign up to volunteer on Jim Hansen's campaign for Congress.
 _______________________ 
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| Failed energy policy is costly and dangerous |
583 Views |
| posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 |
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The sharp rise in gasoline prices expected in the days and weeks ahead is the result of Congress’ failure to adopt a coherent energy policy that breaks America’s dependence on oil, Jim Hansen, a candidate for Idaho’s 2nd District seat in Congress, said Wednesday.
“Congress is so dependent on campaign contributions from traditional energy companies that they have been concerned more with protecting the status quo than leading this nation with a new vision for energy in the 21st century,” Hansen said.
Unrest in the Middle East and tight supplies due to the recent shutdown of a major oil pipeline in Alaska are responsible for huge spikes in gas prices to consumers. The average price of gas in Idaho is at record levels of nearly $3 a gallon, with another 10-cent hike expected soon.
“Virtually everyone I have spoken to throughout Idaho’s 2nd District is forced to cut other essential items for their farms, their families and their businesses to cover the growing cost of fuel,” Hansen said. “Adding more personal and business debt is also a real threat.”
The Energy Policy Act adopted by Congress last year did nothing to raise fuel efficiency standards for cars, did not reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and provided billions in tax breaks to oil companies in times of record profits, Hansen said.
Congress is busy raising money from the oil industry while it rubber stamps a failed foreign policy that has led to deepening war and instability in the Mideast, Hansen said.
Rather than reduce dependence, Congress appears simply to be trying to satisfy oil company demands for more short-term drilling in environmentally sensitive areas in Alaska and off U.S. coasts.
Hansen’s opponent, four-term incumbent Mike Simpson, has received more than $284,000 in campaign donations since 1998 from energy-related sources, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
Simpson has voted:
-- To approve opening the Artic National Wildlife Refugee to oil and gas exploration and permit drilling in deep waters offshore.
-- Against an amendment to study if energy company mergers are raising prices for consumers.
-- To exempt certain oil drilling from clean air and water standards.
-- To approve $8 billion in tax breaks, with only 5 percent going to renewables such as solar and wind power.
-- Against an amendment to increase fuel economy standards in new cars and trucks. U.S. standards are still lower than virtually every industrial country in the world, including China.
“My opponent is a consummate insider. His close relationships with oil lobbyists have made him deaf to the real life impacts of soaring gas prices on ordinary Idahoans,” Hansen said.
As an example, Hansen cited the October day last year when Simpson, acting as temporary House speaker, refused to close the voting after time had expired on an energy-related vote. He held the vote open for 44 minutes so that members could be strong-armed into voting for the so-called “Gasoline for American’s Security Act.”
The extra time allowed enough arms to be twisted to approve the measure, which passed by just two votes. The controversial bill will weaken rules that protect the environment and public health.
Hansen is not accepting campaign contributions from political action committees or corporations. He will accept only individual contributions up to $100.
“This allows me to be free of strings that oil companies and other special interests pull to control Congress,” Hansen said. “That means I can do what is best for Idahoans, such as funding clean alternatives and raising fuel efficiency standards so that we can put American ingenuity to use making the world cleaner and safer for our grandchildren.”
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