I didn’t have to think twice about signing the petition “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” that’s making the Internet rounds. The petition – circulated by American Solutions for Winning the Future, a nonpartisan organization whose chairman is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich – urges Congress to immediately start drilling domestically for oil. While the issue is certainly multifaceted, according to American Solutions’ research data, I line up with 81 percent of Americans who support the United States using more of its own domestic energy resources, including the oil and coal already here, to combat the rising cost of energy and reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. This belief crosses all political and socioeconomic groups.
The petition reads: “We therefore, the undersigned citizens of the United States, petition the U.S. Congress to act immediately to lower gasoline prices (and diesel and other fuel prices) by authorizing the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries.”
The goal is for a million signatures by July 1 and three million before the presidential elections. Based on the overwhelming response so far, it’s a safe bet they’ll meet or exceed that goal. As long as Congress fails to allow for drilling at home, diesel and gasoline prices will continue to spiral. It’s high time to challenge our dismal lack of a fuel policy, and while the petition is mostly symbolic, it’s definitely catching the attention of policy makers across the political spectrum.
Talk of rising fuel prices and the sluggish economy dominated conversations at Commercial Carrier Journal’s Spring Symposium held June 10 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Keynote speaker Martin Regalia, chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said he freely admits he doesn’t know what’s going on regarding soaring oil prices. Supply and demand in the United States have gotten very close, but “we’re one of the only countries that aren’t increasing production,” said Regalia, citing foreign experts that believe the United States has “virtually no energy policy.”
I agree with him and feel that the days of being able to afford “virtually no energy policy” appear to be waning. The “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” campaign is worth a look. The alternative? Drill Somewhere Else, Pay Foreign Countries for Oil. That’s not something I’m willing to sit back and let happen without having a say. Let me know what you think.
For more information, go to www.AmericanSolutions.com/DrillNow.
