Bush to Congress: permit new oil drilling

Washington, DC, May. 22 (UPI) — President Bush used his weekly White House radio address Saturday to call for opening the nation’s untapped oil and gas fields to exploitation.
Bush to Congress: permit new oil drilling

Washington, DC, May. 22 (UPI) — President Bush used his weekly White House radio address Saturday to call for opening the nation’s untapped oil and gas fields to exploitation.

“To sustain our economic growth, we must also ensure affordable and reliable sources of energy,” Bush said, noting it has been three years since he sent Congress legislation to permit greater oil and gas fields exploration and production.

Said Bush: “These measures have been repeatedly blocked by members of the Senate — and American consumers are paying the price. Three years is long enough. I urge the Congress to end the delays, and pass comprehensive energy legislation.”

The president described new oil and gas drilling as key to reducing gasoline price shocks. He also urged an expansion of the nation’s oil refining capacity, currently operating at usually high utilization rates.

On an electoral note, Bush said several key swing states that have struggled with unemployment appear to be doing better.

“Wisconsin and Ohio have each added more than 30,000 new jobs this year,” he said. “And in Oregon, the unemployment rate has fallen from a high of 8.7 percent last summer, down to 6.7 percent in April, as the state has added 29,000 new jobs.”

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040522-112030-3178r.htm