====== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ======
America First Party
1630 A 30th Street #111
Boulder, Colorado 80301
http://www.AmericaFirstParty.org
Friday, March 4, 2005
Put America First: Uncap Domestic Oil
Boulder, CO -- In response to recent oil related news, America First Party
National Chair Dan Charles issued the following statement today:
"Nearly three years ago the America First Party called for ending dependence
on foreign oil. Since then, oil and gas prices have more than doubled to
record levels, dependency on foreign oil has increased, trade deficits have
exploded to record levels, unemployment among American oil industry workers
has increased, and OPEC countries have expanded their funding of madrassas
that breed terrorists. In recent days, OPEC's secretary general has
announced his expectation that oil prices will rise to more than $80 a
barrel. In response, congressional Democrats and Republicans have done
nothing.
"Today, the America First Party again renews its call for an energy policy
that creates energy independence, good paying jobs, and lowers costs for
American families. We call on Congress to take steps toward ending US
dependence on foreign oil. Every day Congress fails to act responsibly on
this matter is another day Democrats and Republicans put the American
people's economic and national security interests second for the benefit of
multinational oil companies and fiefdoms.
"Congress should adopt legislation they let languish in the last session
promoting the production of oil from so-called marginal oil wells located in
the lower 48 states and Alaska Uncapping the existing wells in the National
Petroleum Reserve including Gull Island, would allow us to produce another
1.5 million barrels per day of environmentally friendly low-sulfur oil,
without touching ANWR. Inclusion of an $18 per barrel price support
provision can protect our industry from OPECıs predatory pricing practices.
We also seek the elimination of the 1,095 barrel per well per year
restriction, which will return these wells into profitable production, and
an unnecessary regulation that requires that 95% of the discharge from wells
be water.
"Our domestic oil production is competing with countries that do not have
such restrictive provisions--putting us at a great disadvantage. Increased
oil production within the United States would also stimulate the growth of
peripheral industries such as pipelines and refineries. The Democrats and
Republicans who oppose these provisions have lost sight of what is best for
America.
"There are thousands of unused capped and mapped wells which could bring
needed oil to our refineries and gas stations within weeks. Increased
independence from foreign oil and expansion of our domestic oil industry
would remove us from the grip of unstable and hostile governments. The
economic expansion that results would fuel the long term development of
alternative energy sources and improved energy conservation."
Contacts:
Dan Charles, National Chairman, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 4
Romelle Winters, Press Secretary, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 2
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