Latham makes case for new energy bill
By KEN BLACK, TIMES-REPUBLICANThough very few were around to hear it, Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, made his case for a new energy bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday.
"We should pass a comprehensive energy bill and do it now," he said. "We should have never gone on recess back on Aug. 1."
Though Congress is officially closed for business, Latham and other Republicans are returning periodically to speak on the House floor in favor of a new energy proposal - even without lights and microphones on.
At issue is a bill that would open up new areas currently off limits for drilling, including the outer continental shelf and parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
"This is the most important issue, certainly, in Iowa, as I've done my town meetings," the congressman said. "It is the issue all the time. Everyone is concerned about the high cost of gasoline and diesel."
Latham noted that many Iowa families struggle with the increased energy costs and believes the new drilling policies, along with other incentives could help drive down the cost of oil, which reached record highs earlier this summer.
At the close of trade Thursday, light sweet crude was down nearly $1, just above the $115 per barrel mark. Earlier in the year, it had surged to nearly $150 per barrel.
The issue of drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not one in which all members of Iowa's congressional delegation agree upon.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, spoke critically of drilling on the outer continental shelf, saying accessing the oil would be expensive, costing between $150 and $200 per barrel. Further, he said it would have no immediate impact on the market, as that oil would not come into the market for years or even decades.
Latham disagrees, saying in discussions he has had with the head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a different story emerged.
"If we had policies in place that told the rest of the world we are going after our own vast resources, that would have an immediate effect on the futures market," he said.
In addition to opening up new locations for drilling, the energy proposal would also create incentives for renewable energy and even some incentives for individuals wishing to purchase gas-efficient vehicles.
But Latham said unless Congress goes back into session, nothing will get done.
"I would like to have the American people get motivated enough to call the speaker's office and demand we go back into session immediately," he said.
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Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or kblack@timesrepublican.com
