I signed on to a letter sent to the United States Congress with copies to the Wisconsin Congressional delegation and Governor Doyle regarding the high price of gasoline. It reads:
Members of the Congress of the United States of America
July 28, 2008
We the undersigned, as members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, along with our constituencies, are very concerned about the increasing price of oil and gasoline, as well as its effect on the economy of our state and of the United States as a whole. Resources available within the United States and in surrounding coastal regions are not being adequately utilized. Our reliance upon foreign sources of energy leaves us vulnerable to both market fluctuations in price and potential fuel shortfalls. Further, we are concerned that the resulting transfer of wealth to nations unfriendly to the United States is occurring at an ever-increasing rate. We hereby petition the Congress of the United States of America to repeal the current moratorium on offshore and domestic oil drilling.
The letter is signed by 19 state legislators.
Since 1982, a federal law prohibits offshore drilling in all states except Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and parts of Alaska and California. Record-setting gas and oil prices show the clear need to utilize new sources of energy, especially drilling in our own country.
Last month, officials in Louisiana gave a tour to visiting state legislators to demonstrate that offshore drilling can be done without harming the environment. Louisiana and three other Gulf Coast states signed an agreement with oil companies and environmental groups to push environmentally friendly drilling.
It can be done, so what are we waiting for?
Stateline has more.
