Williams Says Democrat Capitulation on Offshore Drilling, Oil Shale a Victory for GOP, American People

Press Release

RELEASE - Williams Says Democrat Capitulation on Offshore Drilling, Oil Shale a Victory for GOP, American People

Williams says expiration of ban a step toward energy independence, more must be done

Craig Williams, the Republican candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th District, said today that Associated Press reports that House Democrats will give in to demands of House Republicans and the American people to lift the ban on offshore drilling and oil shale energy production represents a significant victory. Offshore drilling and oil shale recovery have been significant elements of Williams' comprehensive energy plan.

Last week, Williams criticized Sestak for voting for a sham energy bill that Democrats claimed would open areas to off-shore drilling but instead did the opposite, effectively closing off access to 90 percent of America's offshore oil reserves. That legislation would have forbidden states from sharing in federal revenues generated by the recovery of oil off their shores, as well as giving neighboring states a veto power over the decisions of other states. It was opposed by Republican and Democratic Senators, including Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who said the bill "most certainly won't see the light of day in the Senate."

The decision by House Democratic leadership to reverse course and allow the moratorium to expire is in direct contradiction with the position of Congressman Joe Sestak, who issued a release last week stating that he "does not support President Bush's efforts to lift the moratorium." (Source, Sestak Press Release, 9/16/08).

"This is a significant victory for those of us who were demanding that Congressman Sestak and Congress lift the moratorium on off-shore drilling," said Williams. "This represents a significant step toward achieving energy independence by increasing our domestic energy production."

But Williams cautioned that it is just that - a step. He said Congress must now put in place revenue sharing provisions that would allow states to receive a portion of the federal royalties from oil drilling. He also expressed concern that Democrats may re-impose the ban after the election, as some news reports have indicated.

"While we need to move toward renewable and clean energy, the United States will need oil for the next 15 to 20 years to power our transportation sector," said Williams. "The United States has some of the strictest environmental laws of any oil producing nation. We send $700 billion a year overseas for foreign oil, and a large portion of that money goes to countries that held fund terrorism. Let's keep that money in the United States by spending it on oil recovered domestically. In the process, we can create tens of thousands of American jobs and ensure that the oil we use in our cars and trucks is recovered in an environmentally responsible manner."

Williams' supports increased investment in renewable energy sources, but he sets the realistic goal of 15 to 20 years of continued reliance on traditional energy sources until the nation can rely more heavily on renewable energy sources. He believes during those 15 to 20 years, we must work to achieve energy independence by relying on domestic energy sources. His comprehensive energy plan includes domestic recovery of oil and natural gas, utilizing clean-burning coal technologies, and increasing the use of nuclear power all while increasing conservation, improving energy efficiency, and funding continued renewable energy research.

Williams has also expressed his support of the American Energy Act, legislation that Sestak has repeatedly voted to block. That legislation would improve energy conservation and efficiency by providing tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles; provide a monetary prize for developing the first economically feasible, super-fuel-efficient vehicle reaching 100 miles-per-gallon, and provide tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.

The American Energy Act would also increase the supply of American made-energy by allowing the recovery of oil and natural gas off shore; allowing for the recovery of oil from the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge; allowing development of the nation's oil shale resources, and remove the bureaucratic red tape that blocks the construction of new refineries; permanently extend the tax credit for alternative energy production, including wind, solar and hydrogen; eliminate barriers to the expansion of emission-free nuclear power production, and promoting coal-to-liquids technology.

Craig Williams is running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, comprising most of Delaware County and parts of Montgomery and Chester Counties. Williams is a former federal prosecutor, Marine combat veteran, and former active duty Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He lives in Concord Township, Delaware County, with his wife Jennifer, daughter and two step-children. The 7th District is his home - where he lives, where his kids go to school, where he pays taxes, where he attends church, and where he intends to spend the rest of his life.

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