GOP’s choice favors drilling

In the midst of high gas prices and a sagging economy, it's time to explore every possible avenue to tap energy sources already available, 10th Congressional Republican candidate Chris Hackett contends.

Hackett, 45, a Luzerne County businessman, said his approach to boosting the economy, bringing jobs and removing the stranglehold of foreign oil dependence is different from that of his opponent, U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock.

"The worst thing to do in a soft economy is raise taxes," he said. "I am for expanding our domestic capabilities and harvesting those sources as much as possible, whether it's ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska) or off-shore drilling."

He recently lauded the Bush Administration's support for drilling, though the president has yet to rescind a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on most of the outer Continental Shelf, 200 to 300 miles off shore.

He claimed drilling is environmentally safe, despite opposition from some environmentalists.

"I certainly am an advocate for protecting our environment. If you look at off-shore drilling, when Hurricane Katrina hit, those oil rigs didn't blow over."

Taking oil from the ground in ANWR, he added, would mean drilling in a very small area, while yielding 1 million barrels per day.

More oil production, he said, will only yield a better economy and lower gas prices.

The federal gas tax, he said, should be eliminated.

"The key here is Congressman Carney has done everything to stand in front of us to stop oil exploration," he said.

He praised the energy policies of U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pleasantville, who has been a vocal proponent of off-shore drilling.

Hackett came under criticism from his opponent in an area newspaper for owning stock in several oil companies.

The Scranton Times reported that Hackett's investments include $31,000 and $115,000 in companies such as ExxonMobil, Conoco Phillips and Chevron.

Hackett scoffed at any suggestion that he is in the pocket of oil companies.

"I am not beholden to anyone," he told the Sun-Gazette. "I have said publicly that oil companies should pay royalties. I'm also a free-enterprise guy."

Hackett said oil is hardly the only answer, however.

He noted his support for alternative energy sources, including wind, solar or any other economically driven resource.

"There is no one silver bullet."

He said he's optimistic about natural gas reserves present in areas of the 10th District such as Lycoming and Bradford counties.

"That is going to be a tremendous revenue for residents," he said. "If we are smart, we are going to identify employers who use natural gas and attract them to our region."

Hackett said the 10th District has opportunities for an economic boon.

Referring to the area's "great workforce," he said many companies are more than willing to locate here.

Carney did not respond to repeated efforts by the Sun-Gazette to be interviewed for this story.

He did issue the following statement: "It's time for big oil to take a back seat to the American family. For too long, big oil has been the darling of the Bush Administration and those days are over. I've met with heating oil distributors who share my concern that our seniors on fixed incomes will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter. Why are oil and gas companies increasing their supplies without giving a break to our families who are struggling to make ends meet?"

Carney cited his support of three pieces of legislation passed by the House:

Securing Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 gives grants to mass transit authorities to reduce public transit fares.

The Energy Markets Emergency Act directs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to use its full authority to curtail excessive speculation and other practices distorting the energy market.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act suspends the filling of the SPR through the end of the year. Carney said by keeping more oil in the marketplace, supply can increase which may decrease or contain prices.