Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Deliver Democratic Radio Address

Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Deliver Democratic Radio Address

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the Democratic Radio Address tomorrow. In her address, she will discuss energy legislation the New Direction Congress has brought forward to combat rising energy and gas prices and to invest in renewable resources.

WHO: Speaker Nancy Pelosi

WHAT: Weekly Democratic Radio Address

WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 11:06 a.m. (EDT)

WHERE: Major radio networks, including AP, ABC, NPR, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, Fox News Radio, C-SPAN, Armed Forces Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network, Voice of America Radio Network, BBC Radio, CBC Radio, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Below are unembargoed excerpts for immediate release:

"During the past eight years, our energy policy has been directed by the two oil men in the White House. Their failed policy has increased our dependence on foreign oil, damaged our economy, and left consumers paying record prices at the pump.

...

"Senator Barack Obama and congressional Democrats support a comprehensive energy plan to invest in clean, renewable resources like wind, solar and biofuels, and promote greater efficiency and conservation.

...

"This comprehensive Democratic approach will ensure energy independence which is essential to our national security, will create millions of good paying jobs here at home in a new green economy, and will take major steps forward in addressing the global climate crisis.

...

"America faces a choice: a continuation of the Bush-Cheney-McCain approach that perpetuates the failed policies that have produced soaring prices, or a comprehensive, bipartisan strategy that develops new and traditional sources of energy.

...

"Let's work together to seize this critical moment and craft a new energy future of innovation and independence."

Below is a transcript of her remarks:

Embargoed until Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. EDT

"Good morning. I'm Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"It is clear that America's national security and economic leadership
demand that we end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. The current energy
crisis demonstrates that we need a comprehensive strategy that utilizes our
domestic supply, and encourages the promotion of clean, renewable fuels.

"During the past eight years, our energy policy has been directed by the
two oil men in the White House. Their failed policy has increased our
dependence on foreign oil, damaged our economy, and left consumers paying
record prices at the pump.

"Republicans in Congress continue to follow the Bush-Cheney-McCain
leadership. Over the past few months alone, Republicans have voted down our
efforts to expand domestic drilling, opposed clean energy alternatives, and
rejected requiring oil companies to produce from the public lands they already
control. President Bush even refused our request to suspend buying oil at
record prices for the federal stockpile until we passed a law, and the price
fell by over $20 a barrel.

"The Republican proposal -- not surprisingly -- is the same as Big Oil's:
more public land and more tax breaks. It is time we revisited the relationship
between American taxpayers and consumers who own the valuable oil reserves and
Big Oil, who profit from them. A responsible domestic drilling program means
an end to royalty holidays that deprive taxpayers of the royalties they
deserve, an end to subsidies for profit-rich oil companies, and a requirement
that Big Oil drill the oil leases they already own.

"When it comes to energy, as my children would say, 'Let's get real.'

"These are the facts:

"The Republican 'drill only' plan would lower oil prices by only 2 cents a
gallon over ten years. Even Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens says, 'This is one
emergency we can't drill our way out of.'

"Instead, releasing some oil from the government stockpile will reduce
consumer prices in ten days, not ten years. This plan has strong bipartisan
support.

"Big Oil insists that despite record profits, the U.S. taxpayer must
continue to subsidize their drilling. This must end.

"And nearly 90 million acres of public land are already open for drilling,
and a bipartisan majority of Congress supports telling Big Oil to 'use it or
lose it' before getting more leases.

"Senator Barack Obama and congressional Democrats support a comprehensive
energy plan to invest in clean, renewable resources like wind, solar and
biofuels, and promote greater efficiency and conservation. That is why last
year we passed an energy bill with the first increase in auto mileage
standards in over 30 years and sweeping new efficiency requirements. The
provisions of this legislation were the equivalent of taking every car in
America off the road for one year.

"Much more needs to be done. In the coming weeks, Democrats in Congress
will continue to take our country in a New Direction for our energy future. We
hope our Republican colleagues will join in a bipartisan effort, not only to
increase domestic supply, but also to help consumers and to protect the
environment.

"Our plan will reduce the price at the pump within 10 days by releasing
oil from the 700 million barrel federal stockpile.

"It will expand drilling in the Alaska oil reserve already designated for
drilling.

"It will consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for
drilling, with appropriate safeguards, and without taxpayer subsidies to Big
Oil.

"It will require Big Oil to pay the billions of dollars they owe in
royalties to invest in clean energy resources.

"It will create a federal Renewable Electricity Standard, cut mass transit
costs for commuters, and address the role that undue and excessive speculation
plays in driving up the cost of oil.

"And it will increase the use of natural gas, which is abundant, clean,
and cheap.

"This comprehensive Democratic approach will ensure energy independence
which is essential to our national security, will create millions of good
paying jobs here at home in a new green economy, and will take major steps
forward in addressing the global climate crisis.

"America faces a choice: a continuation of the Bush-Cheney-McCain approach
that perpetuates the failed policies that have produced soaring prices, or a
comprehensive, bipartisan strategy that develops new and traditional sources
of energy.

"Let's work together to seize this critical moment and craft a new energy
future of innovation and independence.

"This is Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Thanks for listening."
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Office of the Speaker of the House

CONTACT: Brendan Daly or Drew Hammill, +1-202-226-7616, both of the
Office of the Speaker of the House

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