Energy concerns brought to Staunton

By Bob Stuart
The News Virginian
STAUNTON — Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte brought his fight for a comprehensive national energy bill to the Shenandoah Valley on Saturday, along with his pleas for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow a vote on the issue.
Goodlatte, R-Va., was among a group of Republicans to speak on the House floor Friday about the need for an end to the five-week Congressional recess.
He reiterated his concern Saturday during a fall campaign breakfast for area Republicans at Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant.
“We need to vote on the American Energy Act,” Goodlatte said of the bill that would offer alternative energy sources.
Just as importantly, Goodlatte said he wants to see the moratoriums lifted on offshore drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
He said the drilling in ANWR would only involve about 2,000 acres of an area the size of South Carolina and could lead to a significant amount of oil for the United States.
Goodlatte initially voted for ANWR drilling in 1995, but the legislation authorizing it was vetoed by President Clinton.
“This is not a partisan issue. There is bipartisan support in Congress,” said Goodlatte, who said Democratic members would support the American Energy Act and offshore drilling.
While Goodlatte favors alternative energy plans, he said the economy can only remain strong if the United States can access available energy sources now.
“We can’t wait. We must have the traditional sources of energy if the economy is to stay strong,” he said.
Goodlatte said that while Pelosi favors alternative energy sources, she has resisted allowing votes on offshore oil drilling and coal-fired power plants.
“She has a San Francisco, obstructionist mindset to traditional sources of energy,” he said. “As speaker of the House, if she allows Congress to vote, the majority will prevail.”
The congressman asked a room full of supporters to contact their U.S. Senators and write letters to the editor about the energy issue.
“It depends on the public to keep the issue going,” he said.
On other issues, Goodlatte expressed disappointment that the Environmental Protection Agency refused to allow a waiver for Texas to reduce the amount corn designated for ethanol production, as mandated by the Renewable Fuel Standard.
He said the federal mandates and subsidies for corn-based ethanol are driving up the prices of corn for Shenandoah Valley cattle and poultry farmers.
“They are taking money from the consumers’ and the producers’ pockets,” said Goodlatte.
The congressman has emphasized he thinks that the best market for corn is livestock producers, not ethanol.
According to a release from Goodlatte this past week, nearly one-third of the U.S. corn crop is projected to be used to meet the increased Renewable Fuel Standard of 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2008.
Goodlatte’s talk at Mrs. Rowe’s was followed by campaigning in Waynesboro’s Tree Streets neighborhood and a day of activities in Augusta and Rockingham counties.
The incumbent congressman is opposed by Democrat Sam Rasoul and independent Janice Lee Allen in his bid for another term in November.