STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MO IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S CALL TO END FEDERAL BAN ON OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING AND TO OPEN UP THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
The following is a first-person statement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) MO
"The President's argument, like his energy policy, is nonsensical. We cannot drill our way to energy independence. The truth is that oil companies are currently sitting on 68 million acres of public lands they have already leased, but President Bush wants to award them with even more. Since 1999, the number of drilling permits issued has gone up 361%, yet gas prices keep skyrocketing. Expanding domestic oil production will do little to bring down the price of gasoline. Americans are suffering under the Bush energy policy that was written by Vice President Cheney and the lobbyists from big oil and gas companies…$4 a gallon gasoline; $134 per barrel oil; increased reliance on foreign sources of energy and on hydrocarbons that contribute to climate change.
We use one quarter of the world’s oil consumption every day and we possess less than 2 percent of the world’s supply. Our transportation sector -- cars, trucks, trains and planes – account for 96% of our domestic oil needs. Sound public policy is necessary to address our long term energy needs if we are to achieve lasting economic stability and national security. Our nation must move toward a new, cleaner, and more affordable energy future that focuses on renewable and increased energy efficiency.
After several decades of intensive extraction, proven U.S. reserves stand at about 22 billion barrels. In contrast, the Middle East has 740 billion barrels in proven reserves. Whether or not our pristine public lands are opened to oil drilling, our domestic oil resources are not adequate to meet our energy needs. Drilling in the Arctic refuge would produce, in total, less than 1% of the oil that Americans will consume over the next 50 years or about the amount we will consume in six months.
The United States needs federal energy policies that will reduce energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency. I recently voted for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act, this measure will end unnecessary subsidies to big oil companies and spur investments in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
It will extend and expand tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. These programs are critical to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the field of alternative energy development. This energy legislation is now pending action by the Senate.
I have also cosponsored the Gas Price Spike Act of 2008. This bill would implement a windfall profits tax on gasoline and diesel. This tax would be placed on key oil industry profits that are above a reasonable rate of return. Oil companies that collect excessive profits would have to pay a stiff tax on those excessive profits and this threat of heavy taxation will let oil companies know that price gouging does not pay."
# # #
Four Thousand Job Seekers Flock to Clay’s 3rd Annual Career Fair
Overwhelming Response Shows That People Are Ready to Go to Work
The line of eager job seekers stretched around the building more than an hour and a half before Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) MO opened his 3rd Annual Career Fair at Harris-Stowe State University. By noon, over three thousand guests had come through the doors, and by end of day, overall attendance numbered 4,000 visitors.
"This incredible community response exceeded my greatest hopes for the Career Fair," said the Congressman. "I was especially thrilled to see so many young people taking advantage of our new summer jobs program, in partnership with the City of St. Louis, Better Family Life and Urban Solutions. Our kids are ready to work. They were well-prepared, well-dressed, totally respectful and I’m very proud of them. Unemployment and underemployment is a huge issue in the First Congressional District, and our Career Fair directly targets that urgent need."
Adult job seekers were able to meet with over 100 top St. Louis employers, including: the Boeing Company; GKN Aerospace; Ameren; BJC Healthcare Systems; Best Buy; Office Depot; Lumiere Place; Harrah’s; Ameristar; the U.S. Postal Service; the U.S. Census Bureau; UPS; the St. Louis Public Library; and the FBI.
For the very first time in St. Louis, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management joined the Career Fair lineup by providing a one-stop shop for interested job seekers to learn about, and apply for, over 100,000 federal jobs, worldwide. OPM officials also conducted special break-out sessions on federal employment opportunities.
Congressman Clay’s First District Career Fair was presented with the help and support of Harris-Stowe State University, and all of our outstanding vendor partners. We thank them for their participation and we look forward to Career Fair ‘2009.
# # #
Congressman Clay at work in Missouri's 1st Congressional District:
Click here to view photos
