Pombo-spin: Energy & Common Sense:Both in High Demand, But in Short Supply

[NVMojo]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Resources Committee, issued the following statement today as record-breaking energy prices face the nation and squeeze consumers:

"Time and time again, Republicans have warned that America would end up at the mercy of OPEC if we didn't put Americans to work producing more of our own energy," Pombo said. "We were right, as the price at the pump illustrates, again."

Obstructionists in Congress have blocked efforts to increase domestic supplies of energy at every turn since 2001. Accurately characterized by Environment & Energy Daily in 2003, American energy supply measures have been "paralyzed behind a long list of Democratic amendments and bickering" as Democrats are "courted by environmental groups who want to derail an energy bill at all costs." NO! continued to be the Democrat energy plan well into 2004 as well, as they even voted against increasing supplies of renewable energy on federal lands. 2005 marked the completion of the Energy Policy Act, absent most Democrat support and real American supply efforts to lower prices for consumers.

"If America was facing shortages of milk or water, Congress would certainly take steps to increase supplies," Pombo continued. "But as soon as we start talking about oil and natural gas - the lifeblood of our economic and national security - liberals in Congress turn the simple principle of supply and demand on its head in ways that defy logic and common sense. Opposing everything accomplishes nothing, except high prices and economic vulnerability for Americans."

As developing nations like India and China increase the use of energy to improve the quality of life for their people, global demand for energy continues to rise with prices in tow. Fortunately, American taxpayers own roughly 2 billion acres of federal lands and the massive energy resources that lie beneath them. Putting Americans to work producing this energy is the key to lower prices and a strong economy.

"While some in Congress chain themselves to the door of supply - keeping the resources of the ANWR, the deep ocean, and other federal lands under lock and key - many Americans today are struggling to get to work because of high gas prices. This country has made incredible strides in conservation and efficiency, and we must continue to improve, but Americans cannot conserve their way out of an empty tank of gas. Democrats must join Republicans to increase supply. There is no silver bullet in solving this side of the equation, but a billion barrels here, and a billion barrels there, and pretty soon we are talking about real energy."

The Resources Committee renews its efforts to increase supplies of all forms of American energy this week with hearings on renewable and alterative energy production.

from the House

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/

[skids]

1. Say one thing, do another.

...in the meantime cutting funding for exactly that putting of "Americans to work producing more of our own energy" if it doesn't involve enslaving the Americans to a huge multinational fossil conglomerate.

The hypocrasy would be astounding, if I was even capable of being astounded by Republicans being hypocritical anymore.

[depakid]

2. More disinformation from "Mr. Mercury isn't poisonous"

He's one of the most corrupt and dishonest Republicans out there- and he does a lot of damage- some of it irreparable.

Why the Dems haven't targeted that bastards with both barrels, is beyond me- and doesn't give me a whole lot of faith in the party's priorities.

[JohnWxy]

3. Hypocrisy Pays So Well - REpublican Prayer: "Show ME the Money!"

ONe of Bush's responses is to eliminate the EPA requirements to reduce GHGs, won't make much difference in terms of supply or price at the pump.

Republicans have enabled the Oil compnanies to consolidate refining capacity in the hands of fewer and fewer companies so they can control supply and thereby prices.

Myths and Facts about Oil Refineries in the United States - Public Citizen

Myth 2: The U.S. oil refinery market is competitive.

Fact: Actually, industry consolidation is limiting competition in oil refining sector. The largest five oil refiners in the United States (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Royal Dutch Shell) now control over half (56.3%) of domestic oil refinery capacity; the top ten refiners control 83%. Only ten years ago, these top five oil companies only controlled about one-third (34.5%) of domestic refinery capacity; the top ten controlled 55.6%. This dramatic increase in the control of just the top five companies makes it easier for oil companies to manipulate gasoline supplies by intentionally withholding supplies in order to drive up prices. Indeed, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concluded in March 2001 that oil companies had intentionally withheld supplies of gasoline from the market as a tactic to drive up prices—all as a “profit-maximizing strategy.” A May 2004 U.S. Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) report also found that mergers in the oil industry directly led to higher prices—and this report did not even include the large mergers after the year 2000, such as ChevronTexaco and ConocoPhillips. Yet, just one week after Hurricane Katrina, the FTC approved yet another merger of refinery giants—Valero Energy and Premcor—giving Valero 13% of the national market share. These actions, while costing consumers billions of dollars in overcharges, have not been challenged by the U.S. government.

Myth 3: The United States has maxed out its oil refining capability.

Fact: Oil companies have exploited their strong market position to intentionally restrict refining capacity by driving smaller, independent refiners out of business. A congressional investigation uncovered internal memos written by the major oil companies operating in the U.S. discussing their successful strategies to maximize profits by forcing independent refineries out of business, resulting in tighter refinery capacity. From 1995-2002, 97% of the more than 920,000 barrels of oil per day of capacity that have been shut down were owned and operated by smaller, independent refiners. Were this capacity to be in operation today, refiners could use it to better meet today’s reformulated gasoline blend needs.

Profit margins for oil refiners have been at record highs. In 1999, for every gallon of gasoline refined from crude oil, U.S. oil refiners made a profit of 22.8 cents. By 2004, the profits jumped 80% to 40.8 cents per gallon of gasoline refined. Between 2001 and mid-2005, the combined profits for the biggest five refiners was $228 billion.

HIs promise to have FTC look into "price-gouging" is more Republican "Fuck-the-Fools" strategy (they are so successful at it because people submit to their depravity, and don't speak up about it - such as sending an email to legislators or news media.) as there are no legal definitions of Price gouging so nothing can come of such an "investigation". Democratic REP. BART STUPAK, Michigan, has tried to introduce legislation (the FREE Act) that would provide a statutory definition of price gouging. Don't expect Republicans to give it anything more than lip-service.

On Line NewsHour

REP. BART STUPAK (D), Michigan: What I wish the president would do -- and the chairman, too -- is allow my bill, the FREE Act, to come before the Congress.

See, when the president calls for an investigation by the FTC into the price of oil to see if there's gouging going on, it doesn't do us any good, because the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, has never brought a case for price gouging on petroleum products ever.

Why? Because we have no clear definition of: What is price gouging? What is market manipulation? What is predatory pricing practices? We do not have a standard at the federal level.

If the FTC is going to investigate these outrageous prices we're paying right now, they have to rely upon antitrust laws or anti-monopoly laws, and that does not get you price gouging, market manipulation.

GWEN IFILL: But, Congressman Stupak...

REP. BART STUPAK: So our bill would do that. And we've had the bill since last September, and we urge the president and Chairman Barton to bring our bill to the floor for a clean vote.

~~
~~

REP. JOE BARTON: .... But this is primarily a demand-driven price increase. If every person in the world who uses gasoline or diesel fuel would cut their consumption by 10 percent, the world would soon be awash in oil and the price would probably go down a dollar a gallon in the next six months. But who's going to do that?

GWEN IFILL: Well, no magic bullet, at least not here, not tonight. Congressman Joe Barton, Congressman Bart Stupak, thank you both for joining us.

Thank you.

Yes, "Thank you", Ms. Awful (Sic) for not asking Rep. Barton why the Republicans opposed extending CAFE standards in the 90's which would have prevented the situation we are now in. Doing THAT would have jeopardized your status as a Republican toadie - Fascist Bugger-Bait, wouldn't it?

Maybe this info on OpenSecrets.org will shed some light on that question:

Oil & Gas contributions - 87% go to Republicans - CAn you blame them. IT PAYS OFF. Just ask EXXON - Mobil