Steve Daines – Gas Prices
Gas prices, which continue to increase seemingly on a daily basis, should serve as a reminder that America needs to address its reliance on oil from foreign sources. The most recent hikes in both oil and gas prices have their roots in the unrest that has spread across the Middle East, most specifically Libya. The truth is America’s dependence on foreign oil puts us in a position where we can be held hostage to high energy prices for a wide variety of reasons occurring a number of countries. In the current situation, increased unrest affecting more oil producers in the Middle East could put even more upward pressure on energy prices in America.
The problem with increases in energy prices is that they affect much more than just the price of a gallon of gas or a quart of oil. Increasing energy prices are pushing costs higher in many areas that have a direct affect on American families. One area where rising prices are felt every day is the cost of food, which together with higher gas prices is costing Americans an increasingly larger percentage of their pay checks. Ranchers and farmers see their fuel expenses increase, as well as fertilizer costs. The increase in these costs acts much like a tax on American consumers, leaving them with less money to spend on their monthly obligations and discretionary items.
With these circumstances unfolding as they are, America needs to re-focus its attention on increasing our domestic oil production through expanded offshore drilling and improving extraction techniques on existing wells. America also sits on huge coal deposits which could play a large role in gaining energy independence, as we can continue to move toward clean coal objectives.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, tidal, etc., can also play a role the development of energy that is available from domestic sources. America needs to move forward on all of these fronts for the betterment of this country and all of our citizens.
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