CONTACT: Matthew Dempsey 202-224-9797 matthew_dempsey@epw.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee, applauded President Bush’s speech outlining the Administration’s efforts to lower high gas prices. The President spoke this morning to the Renewable Fuels Association in Washington D.C.

“President Bush today outlined his plan to address the high cost of gasoline in the near and long term, a far cry from my Democrat colleagues’ empty political rhetoric,” Senator Inhofe said. "In particular, I wholeheartedly support the President’s plan to lower gas prices by directing EPA to grant fuel waivers, continuing support for offshore drilling, opening up ANWR and calling for an increase in petroleum and bio-refinery capacity.

“I commend the President for his continued commitment to increasing domestic refining capacity. Over the past year, I have introduced the Gas PRICE Act and Energy Price Reduction Act, legislation designed to increase refining capacity for gasoline and boutique fuels, only to see Senate Democrats block and obstruct reasonable legislation. As the President said today, increased refining capacity can go a long way in addressing the nation’s short-, mid-, and long-term fuels challenges. My refining legislation does so by establishing greater regulatory certainty without changing any environmental law, through improving efficiency, and by establishing a future for the use of ultra-clean transportation fuels derived from abundant domestic resources. 

“Whereas the President today offered a bold plan of action to bring down gas prices, Congressional Democrats offer only their tired rhetoric and obstruction. Now is the time for the Democrats to put their showmanship and obstructionism aside and for Congress to follow the President’s lead.”

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