Marking One Year Since BP Spill

Press Release

Maine's biggest export is cash to pay for oil, Pingree says on the one-year anniversary of the BP oil spill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says that our nation's dependence on imported oil is bad for Maine families and the economy.

"Maine is one of the most oil-dependent states in the country and when oil and gas prices go up, Maine families pay the price," Pingree said. "The BP oil spill was a reminder of the dangers of drilling off the coast and the rising prices of gas should be the incentive we need to finally break our addiction to oil."

Pingree also said Maine should invest in energy sources that keep money in the state.

"Maine's biggest export is cash--$5 billion for oil and gas leaves the state every year," Pingree said. "We need to start keeping more of that money here by developing new sources of clean energy like wind and tidal power. We can create home-grown solutions to our energy problems that create good paying jobs that can't be exported."

Pingree said she's opposed to drilling for oil off the New England coast, which has been proposed by Republicans in Congress. She also sponsored legislation that passed the House last year that would require BP to pay royalties for all the oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pingree is a founding member and vice chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.

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