8/12/2008 - Mainers Call on McCain to Back Energy Relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008
CONTACT: REBECCA POLLARD, 772-4353
(LEWISTON, MAINE) - Senate President Beth Edmonds, Former Director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security Beth Nagusky, and a Lewiston small business owner fed up with the high gas prices and sky-rocketing oil profits called on McCain to back immediate relief from high gas prices at a press conference at the Pop Shoppe Diner in Lewiston today.
"Maine families and businesses are struggling under the high price of gas and heating oil," said Senate President Beth Edmonds. "We need a president who will stand up for Mainers by delivering relief today while building a secure energy future. John McCain is offering more of the same, with his plan to give $4 billion more in tax breaks for oil and gas companies. Barack Obama understands the enormity of this crisis and has put forward common-sense solutions that will ease the pain at the pump and move America to energy independence."
The high price of gas and heating oil has hit Pop Shoppe Diner and other Maine businesses hard. As hard-working Mainers look for a comprehensive energy plan that will help them deal with high gas prices in the short term and set in place long-term investments to resolve our nation's energy crisis, Sen. McCain wants to reward his Big Oil buddies - including the 33 former oil and gas lobbyists working for or raising money for his campaign - with nearly $4 billion in tax breaks. That includes more than $1 billion in tax breaks for Exxon, which just reported the highest profits in its history.
"Barack Obama's energy plan will create new jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help America achieve energy independence," said Beth Nagusky, Former Director of the Office of Energy Independence and Security. "This is the kind of leadership we need to find a meaningful energy solution for Maine families and businesses."
At the Pop Shoppe Diner, residents presented McCain with a massive check made out to him from Big Oil, for the sum of $2 million dollars he's reaped from the oil industry. Speakers drew a contrast between the special interest politics of John McCain and the new approach of Senator Barack Obama.
THE FACTS:
- McCain has at least 33 former oil and gas industry lobbyists raising money for or advising his campaign.
- His campaign staff and fundraisers include former representatives of BP, Chevron Texaco, Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Sunoco, and the American Petroleum Institute.
- At least one of McCain's lobbyists, Wayne Berman, continued to lobby on behalf of the oil and gas industry while working for McCain.
- McCain's energy "plan" includes nearly $4 billion in tax cuts to the top five oil corporations, including $1.2 billion for Exxon-Mobile alone.
- McCain announced his energy policy, which would line the pockets of oil companies, to a room full of oil executives.
