WV MetroNews: A Gas Plan

Statement

West Virginia's Second District Congresswoman says it's time to take steps to keep down gas prices in the long run.

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito says the climbing prices cannot be ignored.

"When it starts to hurt everybody in the pocketbook, economic recovery, people getting to and from their jobs, I think we need to look at the policies we have in place to see if we're feeding into this," the Congresswoman said.

She continues to look for support for what she's calling, a "Five Point Plan" to address high gas prices now and in the coming years and decades. Now is the time, Capito says, for changes, since everyone is paying attention.

"Once it (the price of gas) goes back down, the fervor abates and then we make zero changes in our National Energy Plan," the Congresswoman says.

Her "Five Point Plan" is as follows:

1. Temporarily waive boutique fuel regulations

Current law mandates that 17 different blends of gasoline be used in different regions of our country. These regulations strain distribution and limit supply, driving up prices for consumers.

2. Utilize West Virginia coal

West Virginia's abundant coal reserves could play an important role in reducing gasoline prices. The government has long supported the research and development of coal liquefaction facilities that convert coal into gasoline. It is time to build a liquefaction facility which would increase our fuel supply while creating jobs for West Virginians. I have introduced legislation that would help spur the development of coal to liquid fuels for our transportation needs.

3. Expand onshore and offshore drilling

Our nation has extensive reserves of petroleum and natural gas within our borders and we should allow for the exploration and drilling of these resources so we can become less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Environmentally safe exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Outer Continental Shelf and new natural gas discoveries including the Marcellus Shale will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our domestic supply of oil and natural gas.

4. Expand our use of natural gas

America is in the process of developing huge natural gas resources including many projects in West Virginia. We should continue to develop and implement natural gas vehicle fleets to alleviate the pressure on gasoline.

5. Streamline regulatory framework for reviewing and processing applications for new energy projects

In order to bring projects online faster, we need to ensure a quick review process for energy projects on federal lands. Creating a manageable time frame for permitting and for groups or individuals to contest energy plans would keep potentially cost-effective ventures from being tied up for years in litigation.

Gas prices topped $4 a gallon for regular in parts of West Virginia last week.

Source