WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today helped introduce legislation aimed at easing the high price of fuel at the pump and providing a comprehensive, long term approach to America’s energy needs.

The new Gas Price Reduction Act would tap as much as fourteen billion barrels of oil along the Atlantic and Pacific - more than all U.S. imports from Persian Gulf countries over the last 15 years. The legislation would also open up three times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia through western state oil shale exploration. The bill encourages alternative sources of energy including plug in electric vehicles through the development of better batteries to maximize electricity range and use less gas.

"With $4.00 a gallon gasoline, and nearly $5.00 a gallon diesel, this bill is exactly what Kansans need right now and what all Americans need to help ease their pain at the pump," Senator Roberts said.

Forty-three Senate Republicans joined in introducing the bill, which increases access to domestic energy sources, while at the same time reducing energy demand. They invited the Senate Majority Leader to join the debate immediately to bring real solutions to the energy consumer.

Senator Roberts supports long term comprehensive energy solutions for the nation which would increase the supply of affordable, clean, domestic energy. This action is the latest in a series of his efforts, including the following, to assist Kansans in dealing with high energy prices:

• In 2005, Senator Roberts supported the Energy Policy Act that developed incentives for ethanol production.
• In 2007, Senator Roberts supported the Energy Independence and Security Act, which improved vehicle fuel economy and provided incentives to develop cellulosic ethanol, the next generation in ethanol production.
• The Farm Bill, supported by Senator Roberts and recently approved by the Congress, provides tax credits to encourage cellulosic ethanol production, establishes new renewable energy programs that assist producers in installing wind turbines and other energy efficiency devices on their operations, expands USDA Rural Development grant and loan guarantee programs that benefit bio-refineries and it creates a program to assist producers in raising cellulosic feedstocks to be used in ethanol production.
• Furthermore, the Farm Bill reauthorizes the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) authority through 2013 and brings more transparency into energy markets.
• Earlier this month, Roberts called on the CFTC to exercise its authority to monitor transactions in energy markets for potential abuses and market manipulation.

   

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