Cross-posted from my campaign blog
Following the shutdown of a main oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, gas prices hit yet another new high nationwide this week.
Certainly, we can choose to continue the policies that have led to seemingly endless increases in price at the pump, but do we really want to? Do we really want to keep reelecting the politicians who have put in place the policies and legislation that have led us down this path to $50 fill-ups -- or more?
Now my opponent, Republican incumbent Wayne Scott, sent out a press release last month claiming that he and his party "want to make Oregon a leader in the production of renewable energies." Surely this is a noble goal. But if this were something that Rep. Scott truly believed in -- not something he decided to say because it polls well this year -- don't you think he would have spend more time and effort during his three and a half years as House Majority Leader to actually accomplish a comprehensive energy plan instead of just sending out a press release?
It should come as no surprise that Oregon hasn't been able to pass comprehensive energy reform during the last two legislatures. House Majority Leader Scott, Salem's chief obstructionist, has taken more than $18,000 from energy companies like Chevron Texaco and Conoco-Philips since 2003. Can someone who has taken that much money from big oil and energy corporations really take the steps necessary to wean Oregon off of foreign oil?
So voters in House District 39 have a real choice this fall between someone who has taken thousands of dollars from the energy industry and someone who will uncompromisingly fight for our energy independence. What steps will I take as Representative to ease the burden at the pump and increase domestic energy production? As I wrote last month,
While there are some who believe that the only answer to our energy needs is more oil, we have to understand that more drilling is not the only answer. In order to ease the burden at the pump in the short-term, I am not certain that we can rule out increasing our domestic supply of oil. But at the same time, we need to invest today in renewable fuels right here in Oregon that can also serve to lower the hit to our wallets and pocketbooks at the gas station and help move us to a point where we are no longer completely reliant on Middle East oil.
Between ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and hybrid power for our cars and wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and wave power for our houses, I have faith that we can solve our energy crisis right here at home instead of having to turn to other countries to bail us out.
To help us achieve this, I will fight for tax credits and incentives for energy providers, businesses, and consumers alike. What's more, I will also investigate ways for the government of Oregon to decrease its energy use, because Salem should be a leader on this issue, not a follower -- and there could be quite a bit of savings in the implementation of new technologies.
We can have enough energy to drive our economy today and in the future. We only have to realize that we can indeed reach energy independence, and provide the resources and incentives to achieve it.
If you are interested in sending a signal to Salem and to Washington that our Representatives need to wean themselves off of the contributions of big oil and energy corporations so that we as a country can wean ourselves off of foreign oil, help me win this fall. With your support, I will go to Salem and fight for change.
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Mike Caudle is the Democratic nominee for the Oregon House of Representatives from the 39th district, which encompasses Oregon City, Canby and surrounding Clackamas County. To learn more about Mike, visit mikecaudle.com, Mike's campaign blog, Mike's Facebook group or Mike's ActBlue page.