E-Newsletter

Tapping America's energy resources

As I drive around Southwest Virginia, like you, I can see that gas prices are climbing higher and higher. In Virginia, the average price for a gallon of gas is around $3.80. The nationwide average is closer to $3.88. From the cost of groceries to a vacation, skyrocketing gas prices are straining the pocketbooks of all families and businesses.

Most families are struggling to make ends meet and rising fuel prices are only making things worse. Since January 2009, gas prices have almost doubled.  According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, six out of ten respondents said they had cut back on driving because of rising prices. Seven out of ten said that high fuel prices are causing financial hardship. In Southwest Virginia, it’s no different. At these high prices, filling up the gas tank means your family and my family are not able to spend money on other things. Businesses that have to pay more for fuel can’t afford to put new workers on the payroll or invest in new equipment.

Many of us in Virginia could see the rising prices of gasoline coming and began advocating for U.S. offshore drilling before it became a national talking point. In 2005, I voted in favor of State Senator Wagner’s energy plan, which featured lifting the offshore drilling moratorium. One criticism of this plan at the time was that it would not help fuel prices immediately because it would take 7-10 years to get production underway for oil or natural gas. These are the same criticisms we hear today. However, it’s clear that we can create jobs and lower fuel prices by supporting offshore production here in Virginia and throughout the United States, including opening new wells in the Gulf of Mexico. 

This nation has been blessed with an abundant supply of natural resources (including coal), but excessive government regulations and moratoriums are preventing us from developing all of these assets.  In the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee we have held a series of hearings to review the American Energy Initiative, which promotes the use of domestic energy in order to cut costs at the pump. Already the House has passed the Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910) to prohibit the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, which would drive up fuel costs for everyone.

It is my sincere hope that the U.S. Senate and the Obama Administration will not stand in the way of domestic energy production. We can increase our energy security and create good paying jobs, but the Obama Administration must remove their barriers to production now. We should not wait until gas prices hit $6 or $7 per gallon to take action. No source of energy should be off the table. We must decrease our dependence on foreign resources, prevent energy prices from soaring, and let our economy grow. I was very disappointed in 2005 when then Governor, now Senator, Warner vetoed the legislation that could have led to offshore drilling in Virginia. For those who say that starting offshore drilling now won’t help us with our current gas prices, all I can say is that had we started in 2005 like the Virginia General Assembly wanted to, the foreign oil barons would know that Virginia production was coming next year. The speculators would be speculating on prices going down. I do not want to wait another seven years and have us still suffering at the gas pump from the failure act.

Over the past month, Southwest Virginia has been greatly impacted by extreme weather.  This week, another round of devastating storms destroyed homes and businesses in our region. My prayers are with those who were affected by these storms, especially those who lost loved ones. Despite these tragedies, our communities will come together to rebuild and support one another. It is in times such as these that we must hold fast to our faith and pray for healing and the strength to pick up the pieces.

As your representative in Congress, I want to you hear from you. If you have concerns or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.