Upton blames gas prices on Obama

Published 9:16pm Monday, April 16, 2012
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U.S. Rep. Fred Upton criticized President Barack Obama’s administration for supporting energy policies that are causing the surging gas prices.
That was the message Upton, chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee, delivered during the Weekly Republican Address this weekend.
“In many ways, this administration’s policies are moving us backwards,” Upton said, “and making gas prices even worse.”
Upton, R-St. Joseph, blasted Obama for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline — a project Upton argues will “decrease our dependence on oil from unstable regions of the world.”
Upton said there are two bills in Congress that Democrats are blocking. One bill calls for cutting regulations on refineries, while the other would open more federal land for energy development.
“Energy could be a great American success story,” Upton said.“That is what the Republicans are working toward.”
, and we invite the president to join us. If he won’t lead, we will.”
According to gasbuddy.com, average gas prices in the Niles area are at $3.99.

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  1. April 17, 2012 at 11:20 am <Link>

    Dear Fred,

    As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, clearly your words indicate that the buck doesn’t stop with you. And why should it? This being an election year, it’s just too easy to point you finger at the President, who happens to be the opposing Democratic incumbent and say “It’s his fault”.

    But maybe it isn’t your fault Fred. It could be a result of all those years with a silver spoon being stuck in you mouth, as it fought for space with your foot, that has created a mental condition known as “Republicanitis”. The main indicating symptom of which is to never to blame big business.

    Rep. Upton cites President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline as a primary cause in the United States negative energy picture. This despite numerous claims from unbiased experts in the energy field who have testified that the projected figures associated with the Keystone Pipeline are either false or exaggerated.

    As an alternative in laying blame, I offer these facts as taken from the following website:

    http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/02/08/421061/big-oil-higher-prices-record-profits-less-oil/?mobile=nc

    Oil companies produced 4 percent less oil and “oil equivalent” in 2011 compared to 2010.

    Oil companies spent a total of $38 billion, or 28 percent, of their profits to repurchase their own stock.

    Oil companies are sitting on more than $58 billion in cash reserves as of the end of 2011.

    Oil companies spent $1.6 million on campaign contributions and $65.7 million on lobbying efforts.

    For every $1 spent on lobbying in Washington, the big five oil companies received $30 worth of tax breaks.

    It is possible that since this is also an election year for Rep. Upton that to continue receiving campaign contributions, especially as the sitting chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee, his message is simply a verification of which side his bank account is buttered?

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