Bob from Manhattan talks offshore drilling

No clue if anyone listened and or cared but Bob Straniere announced his 'plan' for our energy crisis;

GOP congressional candidate Robert Straniere yesterday called upon Democrats to return to Washington, D.C., to solve the nation's energy woes, and offered his own plan for energy independence, including deep-water exploration for oil and natural gas.

For the record the House had a vote last week to open the strategic oil reserves and Fossella voted against the measure. Bob from Manhattan said nothing about that. Instead he pushed the Republican meme, boo on Democrats for recessing for the summer as planned.

Straniere said he supports "a comprehensive energy approach," including deep-water exploration, tax incentives for energy efficiency, relaxed production regulations and stepped-up development of alternative energy sources.

"America must use every means at its disposal to increase the supply of the oil and gas we use today and to create the energy sources for tomorrow," said Straniere.

Why doesn't he just come out and say "we should find more oil!" Straniere manages to say a whole lot without saying a whole lot. He calls offshore drilling "deep-water exploration." This "exploration", not actually finding mind you, just exploring, is suppose to magically ease our energy crisis now? This is exactly why we should not give into these word games and cave on offshore drilling. It is not a solution to our immediate problems. Call out Bob for his hypocrisy and extremely lacking "plan." And "campaign" while you are at it.

Vito Fossella's recent legislative votes

Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, HR 5351
Vote Passed (236-182, 11 Not Voting)

The House voted to repeal certain tax deductions for oil and gas companies in order to pay for the extension of renewable energy and energy conservation tax credits for individuals.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO

Fossella skips out on Energy vote

Oil. Alternative fuel. Energy Independence. Stuff Rep. Vito Fossella has no opinion on. Via Politicker;

28 of 29 New Yorkers in the House voted for the bill (NY13 Blog note: the Energy Bill) when it came up for its final vote last week (it cleared the chamber on a 314-100 vote). The lone exception was Staten Island’s Vito Fossella, who didn’t show up to vote.

The bill is The Energy Independence and Security Act, HR 6. Fossella didn't even vote no like he normally does, he didn't even vote. He couldn't even bring himself to be one of the 198 co-sponsors of the bill, so certainly he can't say he supported it and wanted it to pass despite his failure to do his job and vote.

Vito Fossella's recent legislative votes

Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act HR 6
Vote Passed (235-181, 16 Not Voting)

An Act to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

Rep. Vito Fossella voted NO

Fossella and Bush oppose alternative energy funding

You pay $3 a gallon at the pump because of six years of Fossella's majority acting like this;

via the Houston Chronicle;

The House approved the first increase in federal automobile fuel efficiency requirements in three decades Thursday as part of an energy bill that also repeals billions of dollars in oil company tax breaks and encourages the use of renewable fuels.

snip

The bill would roll back $13.5 billion in tax breaks enjoyed by the five largest U.S. oil companies with the money to be used for tax incentives for development of renewable energy sources like ethanol from grasses and wood chips and biodiesel and for energy efficiency programs and conservation.

snip

The centerpiece of the bill is a requirement to boost automobile fuel economy by 40 percent to an industry average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first such increase since 1975, when Congress enacted the federal auto fuel economy requirements.

Rep. Vito Fossella opposed this long term energy alternative legislation, no surprise really. This is a bill that President Bush has promised to veto so that Exxon and other oil giants don't lose their tax breaks while they are pulling in record profits. Vito Fossella happily obliged President Bush's wishes and sided with Exxon.