September 23, 2008

HARRIS: KRATOVIL's ENERGY PLAN FAILS MARYLAND                                                   

                                            
Annapolis - With the price of oil jumping over $15 a barrel yesterday, State Senator Andy Harris M.D. once again charged that his opponent's energy plan lacked common sense for the people of Maryland.

"Frank Kratovil's plan may work in San Francisco," said Harris, "but it will not work in large portions of Maryland, including the Eastern Shore, where you cannot ride a bicycle to a mass transit station." (Harris is referencing a WYPR interview in which Kratovil said mass transit was an answer to the rising energy costs)

Harris said he favors a comprehensive energy plan that would expand domestic exploration of oil and natural gas, encourage more conservation, and develop the next generation of alternative energy technology. He said omitting any one of those components would be a major impediment to making America energy independent.

"We have to drill for the energy and gas that we have," said Harris. "Kratovil's opposition to drilling is the type of blind loyalty to Nancy Pelosi and politically correct liberalism that Marylanders cannot afford."

Kratovil would allow drilling only in the areas currently permitted for drilling, large portions of which are non-productive for energy resources.

"Drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf can be done safely and far off the shore.
Beach goers and vacationers will never even know the exploration is taking place," said Harris. 

Pelosi adjourned the Congress in August for summer vacation without even allowing a vote on the issue of drilling. Last week, under strong political pressure from outraged Americans who were paying nearly $4.00 per gallon for gasoline, Pelosi allowed a vote on a sham drilling bill that does not provide any incentive for states to allow drilling off their coast.

"This issue is far too important to the future well-being of hard working Maryland families for Frank Kratovil or anyone else to sacrifice that well being on the altar of liberal dogma," concluded Harris.

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