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Congressman J. Gresham Barrett of Westminster pitches a GOP plan to free the United States from dependence on foreign oil during a stop in Walhalla on Friday. Photo by Carlos Galarza/Staff
WALHALLA — His shirtsleeves rolled up, without jacket or tie, U.S. Congressman J. Gresham Barrett came home to Oconee County on Friday to promote a GOP-backed blueprint he thinks would be a pivotal first step to help free America from dependence on foreign oil.
Bringing his message to the Bountyland convenience store, 235 E. Main St. in Walhalla, Barrett said the legislation has been too long in coming.
As he spoke, motorists pumped gasoline that almost scratched $3.60 a gallon for regular unleaded.
Speaking in front of an easel with a poster bearing the name of House bill 6001 — “The Main Street USA Energy Security Act” — Barrett, too, was pumped as he hailed the measure as a plan that can get the job done.
“We’re 35 years late,” the 47-year-old Westminster resident told a gathering outside the convenience store. “We’re selling it now. This is a plan that the American people can push.”
Proponents of the bill say it puts the United States on track towards energy independence by encouraging greater domestic production of energy, bringing more nuclear power onto the electricity grid, increasing the use of clean coal, providing conservation incentives and expanding research and development of alternative sources of energy such as bio fuel, wind, solar and geothermal.
Furthermore, the legislation would no longer keep the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) off limits from oil and gas exploration.
Barrett said the bill also would lift a moratorium on offshore drilling.
“If you want to explore South Carolina go for it,” said the District 3 Republican, who noted that 85 percent of the natural resources in the United States are off limits.
Barrett said the mindset of restricting exploration of ANWR and other areas must change given that China already is teaming with Cuba to explore off the coast of Miami.
According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline was $3.63 in South Carolina on Friday. Alaska and Connecticut were the only states averaging $4 a gallon.
However, there appears to be no short-term relief in sight as oil prices settled at a new closing record of $126.29 a barrel.
Barrett is joining forces with GOP Congressmen Steve Buyer and Mark Souder of Indiana, Zach Wamp of Tennessee, Don Young of Alaska and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee in promoting the legislation across the country.
Before seeking bipartisan support for the proposal, Barrett said it was important to get the American public behind the movement for energy independence.
“The goal is to pass it this year,” he said.
Barrett’s stop in Walhalla completed a daylong swing in the Upstate that also took him to Anderson and Easley.
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May 17, 2008
9:23 a.m.Report inappropriate content
You go Gresham. Now if we can only get the tree huggers, eletists and democrats to go along. Oh yeah, I forgot, those are some democrats!
May 17, 2008
10:19 a.m.Report inappropriate content
We would have enough oil for us now if we didn't export as much of our own oil as we import.
May 17, 2008
2:22 p.m.Report inappropriate content
George Carlin's
Solution to Save Gasoline :
Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use.....
The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants!
That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down.....
Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the Border....
When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq ..
Tell him if he wants to come to America then
he must serve a tour in the military.... Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it.....
After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country.....
He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot..... .
This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the
troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves......
If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq
anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo.....
Problem solved.....
May 17, 2008
10:20 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Is this something that Barrett actually stands for or is this something else that he is only using to get re-elected in the future and then abandon immediately again?