Wilson Rejects Higher Energy Bills for South Carolina Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2008

CONTACT: Ryan Murphy
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 689-4825 (Cell)

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement this evening after House Democrats passed H.R. 6899, legislation that would restrict off-shore oil drilling, prohibit revenue sharing for coastal states, and increase electricity bills for South Carolina families.

"Today's vote by House Democrats was about political cover, not moving this nation forward. Their energy bill is a slap in the face to coastal communities like those in South Carolina which would be prohibited from sharing in revenues from off-shore production. House Democrats voted to permanently block energy exploration in large parts of the outer continental shelf. They turned their backs on new refinery production. And, they turned their backs on South Carolina families who would see their electricity bills go up under a renewable energy mandate."

Congressman Wilson voted in favor of a bi-partisan alternative, the "National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act" (H.R. 6709), that provides for energy exploration onshore and offshore, supports research and development of alternative energy resources, provides for revenue sharing, and supports incentives for conservation.

"For months, House Republicans have been asking Democrats to work with us across Party lines to get the job done for American families. Tonight, we had the opportunity to do just that with the bi-partisan National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act. Unfortunately, the House Democrat leadership chose to put politics above a solution to our energy crisis. They chose to support a bill that is insufficient at best and outright damaging were it ever to become law."

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