Press Releases

JACKSON, MS - Following President Bush's move today to lift a presidential ban on offshore oil drilling, Governor Ronnie Musgrove called on Congress to allow drilling and blasted interim Senator Roger Wicker for blocking comprehensive plans to lower gas prices now.

"It is time for Congress to allow drilling as part of a comprehensive energy solution. More importantly, we need to take action that will help lower prices in the short term and lead to energy independence. We need to crack down on Wall Street speculators, hold big oil companies accountable, and invest in renewable energy and conservation. Unfortunately, Roger Wicker has no real plan to immediately lower prices at the pump," Musgrove said.

"Mississippians can't wait 10 or 15 years to find out what, if any, impact new drilling will have on prices. It is unacceptable that Roger Wicker has protected the big oil companies and Wall Street speculators while Mississippians struggle to pay at the pump. We need a real plan that includes drilling, but also comprehensive solutions that will help lower gas prices now and lead to energy independence."

Musgrove has supported a real plan, with comprehensive solutions to help drive down prices. Musgrove supports allowing oil companies to drill on coastal lands and in ANWR with proper safeguards and to extract oil from land they already have.

Musgrove also supports cracking down on speculators, which could lower prices up to $1.00 per gallon and redirecting tax giveaways for big oil companies that are making obscene profits towards investments in alternative energy, conservation, and increased clean refining capacity. We must also use cost effective technology to extract more oil from old wells.

Wicker, who has received more than $263,000 from big oil, has been silent on holding the oil industry accountable and on pushing for plans that can lower gas prices in the short term.

He has consistently voted to protect the oil industry's tax breaks and against renewable energy. He voted for the Enron Loophole which is widely regarded as the cause of increased market speculation in crude oil and one of the variables contributing to the high cost of gasoline.