Rep. Jerry McNerney has suggested that America could fight high gasoline prices by releasing oil from its 727-million barrel Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That's ridiculous.
Not only is that poor public policy, using emergency supplies for normal operations, but it is like feeding bread crumbs to a starving man. It's not the answer.
Noting that the outer continental shelf contains an estimated 86 billion barrels of oil and
420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the Wall Street Journal called easing access to the shelf "one of the few responsible long-term remedies." But here's the problem: McNerney opposes deep-sea oil drilling, opposes drilling in northern Alaska and opposes other steps to produce more American oil.
Sadly, America is the only developed nation in the world that restricts access to its own offshore energy resources.
A Gallup poll recently found that only 14 percent of Americans approve of Congress' performance -- the lowest rating in Gallup's history. It's no wonder when we have a congressman like McNerney who cares more for his radical environmental friends than for the people of the 11th District.
MARY PARK
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