Salazar Responds to President’s Comments on Off Shore Drilling

Washington, DC – Congressman John Salazar released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s remarks on off shore drilling.

“I support and encourage environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration, including offshore provided coastal states have a fair say. However, we cannot simply drill our way out of the problem. There are already 68 million acres of land that are already set aside, leased and available for drilling, but they are not being drilled. If President Bush was serious about reducing gas prices in the short term, he would tap a small portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to increase supply and reduce gas prices.

“We have less than 1.7% of the world’s oil supply, but 25% of the world’s oil demand. And while I agree drilling is small part of the equation, we are simply lying to the American public if we lead them to believe that it will solve the problem. The only real solution is to put everything on the table for discussion including increased conservation and massive incentives for renewable resources like wind, solar and cellulosic ethanol.”

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	For immediate release: July 14, 2008
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director
	Salazar Responds to President’s Comments on Off Shore Drilling
	Washington, DC – Congressman John Salazar released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s remarks on off shore drilling. “I support and encourage environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration, including offshore provided coastal states have a fair say. However, we cannot simply drill our way out of the problem. There are already 68 million acres of land that are already set aside, leased and available for drilling, but they are not being drilled. If President Bush was serious about reducing gas prices in the short term, he would tap a small portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to increase supply and reduce gas prices. “We have less than 1.7% of the world’s oil supply, but 25% of the world’s oil demand. And while I agree drilling is small part of the equation, we are simply lying to the American public if we lead them to believe that it will solve the problem. The only real solution is to put everything on the table for discussion including increased conservation and massive incentives for renewable resources like wind, solar and cellulosic ethanol.”
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