RELEASE: Zack Space Embraces No-Energy Strategy of His Liberal Leadership

This just in...

(Mt. Vernon) – Zack Space continued his liberal lip-service to the 18th Congressional District with his support of so-called energy legislation that does nothing to lower gas prices or help America become energy independent. The second major piece of "energy" legislation from Space's liberal leaders is just political cover for members like Space who cannot point to any accomplishments that will help families and small businesses in the 18th Congressional District.

Dailey for Congress Campaign Manager Sean Bartley issued the following statement about the "Drill Now" Act:

"The price of gasoline has gone up $1.75/gallon since Zack Space was sworn into Congress. Space has become a typical Washington politician: say one thing here at home and do another in Washington, D.C. Once again, he's supporting an agenda put forth by his liberal leadership that has done nothing in their time in the Majority to help lower gas prices for working families and small businesses.

"The 'Drill Act' is laughable because it does nothing to promote drilling. Space helped his liberal leadership force a bill through the House last year that discourages development and drilling in the very area they're now claiming to support opening up to exploration. Only in Washington, can Zack Space and other like-minded politicians claim that passing a bill, which includes existing law, is progress. Every time Eastern Ohioans fill-up their gas tanks, they're reminded of these failed energy policies."

Facts about the "Drill Now" Act:

CLAIM: Speeding the development of the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A) by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to offer at least one lease sale annually in the NPR-A.

FACT: Zach Space voted for H.R. 6 (Roll Call vote 40) on Jan. 18, 2007. Included in this bill was a provision that would actually discourage development in the NPR-A.

FACT: Ironically, the geographical footprint of the NPR-A is such that extracting oil or natural gas from this region would be more environmentally damaging than allowing drilling on Alaska's remote North Slope, which Space refuses to support.

CLAIM: Reinstating a ban on the foreign export of Alaskan oil.

FACT: The U.S. is not currently exporting Alaskan oil so it would be pointless to "reconstitute" a ban on something we're not currently doing. If Space and his liberal leadership are really serious about keeping more oil in the U.S., he should embrace measures to open just 2,000 acres of Alaska's 19 million acre desolate coastal plain (ANWR) because the "Drill Now" act specifically prohibits the export of oil from that remote region.

CLAIM: Incorporate the "Use It or Lose It" legislation, which simply requires oil producers to drill on the leases they already have or relinquish them so that another company can produce the oil there.

FACT: "Use It or Lose It" is already law of the land! And Space's liberal leaders should know because they voted for it in 1992.

FACT: Under current law, energy companies are already required to use their leases within 5 to 10 years or the Interior Department Secretary has the right to revoke the lease. When an energy company gets a lease, there is no guarantee there is oil or natural gas and the process of finding what natural resources do exist through development can take up to 10 years.

CLAIM: Calling on the President to use the powers of his office to facilitate the completion of oil pipelines into the NPR-A and to facilitate the construction of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline to the continental United States to move the product to market.

FACT: Super. But "calling" on the President and giving the President the authority to act are two completely different things. Unless Congress gives the President the authority to complete construction – similar to Congress giving the President authority to complete construction of a border fence – the President cannot act.

In stark contrast to Space's liberal lip-service to constituents who are crying out for relief from high gas prices and soaring energy costs, Fred Dailey has endorsed an energy strategy that will increase production of American energy – creating jobs in the process – and decrease our dangerous dependence on foreign energy source.

The Dailey Plan for Increased Energy Independence

Allow for environmentally responsible drilling in Alaska's remote North Slope (ANWR) and off-shore drilling.

Increase investment and promotion of alternative energy sources such as clean-coal technology, coal-to-liquid technology, nuclear energy, wind, solar and biofuels.

Get rid of the extreme government regulations that prohibit the construction of new oil refineries. There has not been a new refinery built in the U.S. in more than 30 years. We cannot return to the failed energy policies of the 1970s.

Eliminate burdensome overregulation from the Federal Government that prevents energy production here at home.

I am encouraged by this release...Team Dailey's response time is finally on par with what one would expect.