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McConnell to RECC: 'We need to do things cleaner'
Friday, August 29, 2008 12:47 AM EDT
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| U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell addresses citizens at the Fleming-Mason RECC Thursday afternoon. The senator shared his concerns about the energy crisis in America and outlined a plan for addressing our energy needs for the future. -- Jeff Wendling/Staff |
McConnell acknowledged to the crowd the issues being faced in regards to the rising gasoline costs.
“Four dollars for a gallon of gas is unacceptable.” McConnell said. “To most of Americans, automobiles are indispensable and the cost of gas is affecting everything including an impact on rising food costs.”
The cause, McConnell said, is due to the “laws of supply and demand.” McConnell said China and India are experiencing a rise in the standard of living.
“People in China are driving more cars. They aren’t riding bikes everyday like they used to.” McConnell said. “Their surgence has helped cause a huge increase in consumption world wide.”
According to figures presented by McConnell, 87 million barrels of oil are used worldwide everyday. The U.S. currently uses 21 million or 24 percent. Of that consumption, 12 million is imported and 9 million is produced by the U.S. McConnell said the solution lies within a simple procedure -- “Find more, use less.”
“We have the ability to find more.” McConnell said. “We can find one-third more in two ways, deep sea exploration and through the use of oil shale.”
Currently, based on regulations set in place due to an oil spill in 1969 in Santa Barbara Calif., McConnell said there is “an off limits sign on the outer continental shelf.” The Senate minority leader said the regulations are no longer needed.
“We are a lot better at this stuff now then we were back then.” McConnell said.
According to the senator, the oil shale production would have even larger benefits.
“We have enough resources in two western U.S. states that could triple the production of Saudi Arabia, the current largest producer of oil in the world.” McConnell said.
The use less portion of McConnell’s speech was directed at the current technology improvements for “plug in cars and trucks,” as well as other methods of power and fuels.
The results, McConnell said, would “cut imports and reduce gas costs. We would stop sending $250 billion overseas each year.” McConnell said. “We would get more independence and would have less pollution. It would not make us completely energy independent, though.”
McConnell also touched on the issues of climate change and said the way to fix those issues is through technology.
“We just need to learn how to do everything cleaner.” he said.
McConnell couldn’t avoid putting in a plug for the upcoming election which he referred to as his “professional review.”
“I don’t want to give a political speech.” McConnell said. “I am not going to discuss party differences. I just want to make you aware that as the leader of the minority party in the Senate, I was able to bring $500 million in federal funds for use in Kentucky projects. I can and will make a difference for our state.”
Contact Todd Curtis at todd.curtis@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
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