Gas in America Tops $3.80 a Gallon as Dems Continue to Reject All of the Above Energy Policy

February 22, 2012

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Tim Bishop (NY-01), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Kathy Castor (FL-11), Ben Chandler (KY-06), David Cicilline (RI-01), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), John Garamendi (CA-03), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jim Himes (CT-04), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Kathy Hochul (NY-26), Tim Holden (PA-17), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Steve Israel (NY-02), Bill Keating (MA-09), Ron Kind (WI-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Mike McIntyre (NC-07), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Michael Michaud (ME-02), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Gary Peters (MI-09), Collin Peterson (MN-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Adam Smith (WA-09), Betty Sutton (OH-16), John Tierney (MA-06), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Pete Visclosky (IN-01), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

Gas in California Tops $4.07 a Gallon as McNerney Continues to Reject All of the Above Energy Policy
California Democrat Helped Block Keystone Pipeline to Placate Wealthy Anti-Energy Donors, but Now Gas Prices are Soaring to Record Highs

WASHINGTON — While gas prices in California skyrocket to record highs, Jerry McNerney and his Democrat leaders in Washington continue to demonstrate their priorities are strongly at odds with what middle-class families and small businesses need. With gas prices likely to soar for months to come, McNerney will have to explain why he and his fellow Democrats continue to suppress shovel-ready projects like the Keystone pipeline that would provide badly needed energy independence and jobs.

“Jerry McNerney and his fellow Washington Democrats have a long history of rejecting a reasonable all of the above approach to energy independence simply because their unreasonable activist donors threaten shut their wallets,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “With soaring gas prices putting an enormous burden on hard-working California families, McNerney’s efforts to help shelve the Keystone pipeline could not have come at a worse time.”

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in California is now at $4.07. (AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Accessed 2/22/12)

These skyrocketing gas prices are still climbing to record highs, severely impacting family budgets:

“Americans spent 8.4 percent of their household income on gasoline last year when gas averaged an all-time high of $3.51 a gallon. That’s double the percentage a decade ago. They could pay even more this year, even though demand is the lowest in 11 years as people drive fewer miles in more efficient cars, says Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at OPIS.” (Chris Kahn, “Gas prices are highest ever for this time of year,” Associated Press, 2/18/12)

But instead of promoting energy independence, Washington Democrats have been blocking projects like the Keystone XL pipeline to placate their anti-energy activist donor base:

“Democrats outside the West Wing and Chicago-based campaign say the politics were clear: With the exceptions of the grousing unions (who will have no choice but to support him in 2012), the party’s donor base, environmental advocates down to their hybrid SUVs oppose the pipeline. (Glenn Thrush and Darren Samuelsohn, “Keystone decision a political win-win,” Politico, 1/18/12)

Jerry McNerney and his Democrat leaders in Washington continue to push for an unrealistic and destructive energy agenda that rewards political donors instead of the middle-class families hit hard by prices at the pump. McNerney’s efforts to help shelve the Keystone pipeline are sharply at odds with the needs of his constituents in California struggling with gas prices projected to rise for months to come.

Gas in America Tops $3.80 a Gallon as Dems Continue to Reject All of the Above Energy Policy http://ow.ly/9dUrP #madeinwdc

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