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Jeff Miller: Solution Needed To Rising Gas Prices
February 27, 2012
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep Jeff Miller discusses rising gas prices.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
With gas prices slowly creeping upwards toward $4 a gallon, one would think the President of the United States and Congressional Democrats would finally get serious about working across the aisle on solutions to ease the pain at the pump. At the very least they could put forward a few ideas that would provide consumers already hard hit by a weak economy some relief in their weekly gas bill. However, this week we saw instead an incredible demonstration of the blame game by the Administration. The key message of the President was not about working together to find an answer, but a clear statement of “it’s not my fault.”
The blame was extended to anyone but the Administration – rising gas prices are caused by increased demand from China. Or maybe it’s the recent tensions with Iran. Or it could be decreased foreign supply. Or the Administration’s consistent election-year boogeyman: the Wall Street speculators. Better yet, gas prices are higher because of oil companies. Of course, these things are outside of the control of the U.S. government, so the Administration can’t do anything about it.
President Obama offered little in the way of solutions, instead telling the American people that he wouldn’t make “phony election-year promises about lower gas prices.” The American people don’t want phony promises, but they also don’t want inaction while gas prices go up. I am astonished that in a speech about lowering gas prices, the President also called for higher taxes on the oil industry and more money for unproven clean energy. Let me clear, clean energy technologies will play a role in a long-term solution, but will do nothing to solve the problem this year.
When the rhetoric over gas prices heats up, it is helpful to take a look at some of the facts about gas prices and American energy production. The Administration claims it is opening up more than 75 percent of our offshore oil and gas resources. Yet, that is just the status quo and includes only the areas we have already explored. Eighty-five percent of all American offshore areas remain off-limits. This Administration also placed a moratorium on new drilling and has barely begun to approve any new leases. One example of backwards policymaking is in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. The energy industry has spent $2.6 billion to obtain close to 500 leases; yet, to date the Administration has not allowed a single well to be drilled on any of these leases. Rhetoric does not drill wells and does not create jobs. Action does. There is no doubt that in light of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill almost two years ago, new safety and inspection measures must be put in place; but, new energy exploration cannot and should not be halted altogether.
The Executive Branch is also quick to blame “tax breaks” for energy companies, specifically oil and natural gas companies. The fact is, however, the oil and gas industry does not receive a single targeted tax credit from the IRS. It takes deductions on the cost of doing business, just like other companies. The Administration’s call for an $85 billion tax hike on a particular sector of our economy is not going to lower gas prices. It will make them higher. Giving millions in loan guarantees to companies like Solyndra while increasing taxes on proven energy resources is not going to solve the energy crisis. To call out the oil and gas industry over others is yet another illustration of the government picking winners and losers in the marketplace, something it does not need to be in the business of doing. In fact, the government should not be “in business” at all.
I agree with the President on one thing he said this week, namely that “[t]here is no silver bullet, there never has been.” Nonetheless, I completely disagree with his assertion that there is little we can do about it. The President and Senate should join us in putting forward a viable “All of the Above” energy strategy that will expand domestic sources of production, invest in clean energy technologies, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help keep gas prices low for Americans. The United States can be a leader in innovation and clean energy without limiting our current sources of energy. I hope my colleagues will join in pushing for solutions to increasing gas prices that could have a debilitating effect on our fragile economy.
Comments
27 Responses to “Jeff Miller: Solution Needed To Rising Gas Prices”
REGARDING:
“Batteries produce hydrogen, which can power cars”
While this is true, it would be more efficient to simply use the batteries to power cars directly via electric motors.
And, of course, a battery never produces more energy than was put into it, so it is just a storage device. The energy has to come from somewhere.
David for living better through electricity
Gonna share a disgusting political fact: the USA has the largest oil field ever discovered running from the rockies, montana, and the dakotas up into canada. It contains more oil than all the middle eastern countries combined. Oil experts say there are trillions of barrels down there that could propel the US economy for over 2000 years, and only cost $16 per barrel!!! Bush mandated the removal of the oil in 2005, but that of course got blocked by red tape, environmentalists, and so on. This area is called the williston basin, or the ‘bakken’. Look it up- and remember every time you are at the pump, we don’t have to be paying that ridiculous amount!!! Grrr!!!
They have had propane powered cars/trucks in other countries for years. Also a combination electric/natural gas vehicle has been used overseas for about 10 years. The problem? Not lucretive enough or “safe” enough for us. Solar/wind energy combination would work well here in the Gulf states…there is usually one or the other or both, so combine it. Flywheels on cars would add electric power and distance to electric cars. Batteries produce hydrogen, which can power cars. We have alternatives, but no one wants them.
So when Bush was president the gas was high, was that the Republicans fault? Its time to stop finger pointing
Things will have to change. Oil, causes two main problems: The financial impact to the consumer, and loss of life to those brave folks fighting over seas. And who would of ever thought, not more than 100 years ago, all it was used for was Kerosene lamp oil and wheel bearing grease, basically useless.
The Rockefeller”s , {Standard Oil} started exporting Kerosene over seas, to Russia and China as a replacement for Whale oil. They were quit successful way before the Automobile became a replacement for the mule cart, and Henry Ford introduced the model T.
The Arabic Countries up until the early 1940’s only had sand for a commodity to offer, unless you were in the market for a Camel.
In the U. S., Crude discoveries in Pennsylvania, the first, Oklahoma, and even Jay Florida, made dirt farmers rich as demand grew, and continues to grow today.
Big Oil companies do have a long turn plan.
They know in time, that the oil will run out, or be cost prohibited to extract from the reserves. They know that Ethanol is a bad idea, it cost too much to produce, and we don’t have enough farmland in the USA to produce corn or other crops that could be converted into a usable motor fuel.
Oil Companies are in the oil business. When the practical resources go away, they will simply dissolve.
Big oil Companies are not into alternative fuels. They are in the oil business. Exxon was a big producer in Jay, and left after it become too costly to operate on the budgeted return on investment. Exxon’s historical return is 10% on investment. Walmart is about 20%. No greed, just in a lucrative market at this time that will soon end. It is just a phase, that in time will pass, as everything does as new technology evolves.
Alternative and new technology:
Wind:
Not so good because it’s not predictable. Along the Gulf Coast states anyway.
Solar:
This could be an answer in our region. Not practical at this time due to the high cost of photovoltiac cells. The price dropping dramatically each year due to improved technology and low cost production[China] flooding the market. 5 years from now you will see a lot of solar panels on homes.
Nuclear:
Most effective way to to produce heat, that produces energy. Coming to a place close to where you live, and its safe.
Liquefied Natural Gas: [LNG]
We have more than we could ever use right off Pensacola Beach. Older Cars/Trucks could easily be converted to run this fuel. But , it’s a commodity just like oil, and most is exported .
It is all speculation. A big guessing game.
We all speculate. We try and fill our propane tanks full in the late Summer when we “speculate” that it will cost more later on in the Winter months, and we speculate it will be enough to last till Spring. We all are speculators just like those on wall street, regardless of what we might be spending our money on.
Now be honest Mr. Congressman, when is the last time you had to pay for a gallon of GAS.
It all go on your corp. card like all the rest and we the people pay the bill.
Stop talking about Obama, the whole system need replacing, including your position.
Middle Class Citizen
Miller do your job. The blame is on anyone that’s been in Congress for more than one term (that includes you) Republican and Democrat and the present Administration. Do something other than collect your pay. Be more like Rep. Alan West and Marco Rubio. Hopefully people will wise up and vote against all of you career politicians and put more in like the two above.
Keep this issue in the back of your head come November.
REGARDING:
“Solar and wind produce electricity. Oil is a transportation fuel and less than 1% is used to produce electricity.”
One percent? I thought, “That can’t be right, but ‘tis.”
http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=electricity_in_the_united_states
Main source of electric generation:
coal @ 45%,
natural gas @ 24% (and rising, thank the Lord),
nuclear @ 20% (bless their little nuclei),
hydroelectric @ 6 (but no expansion in sight and fish unhappy),
petroleum @ 1%,
solar, biomass, wind, geothermal @ less than 1% each (at least they have nowhere to go but up).
If we were less dependent on gasoline and diesel, demand would drop and so would prices. Electric cars would be good if we had good batteries and good electric power sources. (Some people talk about electricity as if it just exists without needing to be generated first.)
We would rather not use coal since it is dirty, deadly, greenhouse-gas-ish, finite. But we surely do depend on it as things stand. And it IS domestic.
Natural gas is good and domestically plentiful and already pushing the price of electricity down. Pushing for compressed natural gas cars would also work wonders for saving money and reducing dependence on sometimes touchy Muslims. It won’t last forever but is good for a few more hundred years easily.
Nuclear is among the best sources for electricity but needs to overcome a bit of prejudice before it is more common. I’m not sure how to do that because the long and impressive safety record is ignored and minor problems are treated as if they are insurmountable.
David considering improvements
rather than name-calling or hysteria
Pres. Obama is no more to blame for, nor can he do any more about high gas prices than Pres. Bush was or could do. Democrats were wrong to point the finger at him then, just like Republicans are wrong now. Rep. Miller knows this, but won’t let the facts stop him from attacking the President.
@ Molino and JM I agree completely!!!. However, I need to voice my opinion and say that 4 years when Bush was in office, I paid $4.25/gallon of gas and was furious. Then gas went down to $2.69 – $2.99/ gallon and everyone was glad (this is what they all wanted). Then gas started inching back up to now they say it is all the current administrations fault. No it is all of Washington’s fault. The oil companies and their political supports are making billions while we are struggling. Grocery prices all went up years ago due to high fuel prices, but when gas went down prices did not. Now that fuel prices are rising again, prices will go up even more. Last, did you know that only congress can do inside trading (yes oil too)(Passed by Bush administration) but if you and I do it we go to jail. Something bad wrong here.
@ Molino Jim I couldn’t have said it better
Jeff Miller is about as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Nothing but a two faced liar. Oh well, he is a politician!! Vote miller out.
Where is gas almost 4.00 a gallon??? That’s where I need to be, we’re averaging 4.23 a gallOn here!!!!!!!
I’m very confused about Mr Miller. He votes against drilling and wants to help with the price of gas. Where are the liberals. For eight years they screamed the gas company has Bush in there back pockets. Now that the Liberal is in the White House not a one ask why gas has went up 70 to 80 percent since this administration took office. Where are ya’ll at. Mr Miller you should back up and take a look at your base. Are you bending to to a small group to make points with the left, be careful are the rug might be pulled out from under you. I hope that my vote and others have been wasted.
How is it that no one is aware of Legislation in Congress designed to limit Wall Street Speculators. It is Titled: Anti-Excessive Speculation Act of 2011. The Senate Version of the Bill is : S.1598 and the similar House Bill is: H.R. 3006.
It’s sort of funny that Miller writes this news letter that states how he blames the President and Democrats for the rising gas prices because they don’t do anything but blame others… Yes, he offers no solutions, but to blame others for blaming others… Ha ha! Our governement (not) at work…
Solar and wind produce electricity. Oil is a transportation fuel and less than 1% is used to produce electricity.
Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often (and for the same reasons). Miller is long overdue.
Kathy why do you blame Israel? These are Gods chosen people in THEIR LAND. How is this their fault? The Israelis are peaceful people, who only want to live in peace, in their God given land. These others must accept that.
He needs to point his finger right back at himself, and all of congress. Do nothing, thats their answer, when trying for YEARS to do something else, anything esle (away from oil), NOTHING.
We actually have enough oil in this country to keep gas prices down. The problem is that it gets sold overseas where they can get more money per barrel. So…put an export tax to be paid by the oil companies at the time of export and make it high enough to keep our oil here. Then begin more drilling, get the Keystone pipeline in and work on clean energy. At this point few people can afford electric cars and they are not efficient enough to produce demand for them to lower the prices. We need better batteries for them and better ways to charge them (flywheels?). So let’s stop the blame game and look for better answers!
Miller had his statement papers given to him and he wrote them to us. BLAME, BLAME. If Israel and Iran would stop puffing smoke of war, prices would go down. Republicans will tell any lie to get support. The President of the United States already increased the amount of miles per gallon that cars have to get, he has encouraged and been mocked by republicans for trying to get solar and wind power going. There is nothing this man can do that would ever please republicans.
SW the last president that printed Treasurey Notes (Not Federal Reserve Notes), was shot in the head. This is an ancient evil that is not about to release the death grip it has on our world. Forget about the gold standard, its not going to happen. One thing you can do is payoff credit cards and cut them up, pay them off and shed the yoke of the slavery of usury, that these beings hold over so many cattle. Satan has this world by the throat, and will until the Lords return. The book of Revelation tells us who/what they are. Conserve resources, pray for the Lords return, so they be bound in the pit with their father, that much sooner.
Until we have statesmen instead of politicians there will be no solution. If the Republicans were serious about lowering gas prices they’d shut congress down until the keystone pipeline was approved. These guys are cowards in the face of Obama.
Congressman Miller,
Putting the US back on a gold standard and stop borrowing/printing money would be a good start. Stop letting the president devalue the dollar.
Do your job, Congress, and be the check and balance you were designed to be, please. De-fund agencies that are unconstitutional so that the government is drawn down to it’s constitutional size and duties.
Stop picking winners and losers in industry by allowing capitalism and free market to work.
While Mr Miller is correct in part of this he is to quick to blame the current administration. We have talked about other energy for years and most is still being talked about. When Southern Company ask permission to build two new nuclear generator (looks as if one may be in this area) there were so many studies done to prove they could be safe and still the reaction from many people in this area was negative. There are a number of way to produce power but most people “don’t want it in my backyard”. Wind, solar, geothermal, tidal movement can help make power. In the end we keep going back to oil. Like it or not the world is running out of oil. Unless we cut back on gas use we’ll never solve the problem. The faster we drive the more gas we burn– drive the posted limit and you almost get run over. There are answers to the problem— but we are not going to like them.