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 John Sununu: Too Close to Big OilFor Immediate Release: October 7, 2008 John Sununu: Too Close to Big Oil Concord, NH – A new analysis released by Environment New Hampshire today documents that Senator Sununu has consistently voted against clean energy policies that could reduce our dependence on oil and save New Hampshire residents money at the gas pump. The same analysis details Sununu’s support for $13 billion in subsidies for oil companies during the same period. That’s $123 for each family in New Hampshire at a time when those same families are paying $1,480 more a year for gasoline, compared to 2001. “Time and again, Senator Sununu has sided with Big Oil against the interests of Granite Staters,” said Kathryn Fox of Environment New Hampshire. “Eight years of oil men in the Bush White House has left us even more dependent on oil, and our economy and our environment are paying the price. The last thing we need is another Big Oil ally like Senator Sununu representing us in the Senate.” Environment New Hampshire’s report lists the economic, national security and environmental concerns with oil dependence. The United States now imports 58 percent of its oil from abroad – up from 27 percent in 1985 — and spends twice as much each year on gasoline as five years ago. That’s an additional $200 billion per year out of American’s pocketbooks, with much of it sent to unfriendly nations overseas. America’s use of oil produces more carbon dioxide – the leading global warming pollutant – than the entire economy of any other nation in the world besides China. Environment New Hampshire pointed out that the technology exists today to make our cars and trucks go much farther on a gallon of gasoline. Automakers could achieve a fleet average of 40 miles per gallon within 10 years with existing technology. New technologies such as plug-in hybrids – which use a combination of gasoline and electricity – could allow cars to get more than 100 mpg, while reducing pollution. “Reducing America’s dependence on oil just makes common sense. But Big Oil and its lobbyists in Washington, D.C., have fought smart energy policies every step of the way in order to protect their own lucrative taxpayer subsidies and immense profits,” Fox continued. “Senator Sununu has stood in the way of real progress toward a clean energy economy while supporting policies that keep Americans dependent on Big Oil, cost us more money at the gas pump, and threaten our treasured beaches and public lands with oils spills and pollution.” Their analysis also highlighted that Sen. Sununu has taken $84,400 in campaign contributions from the oil industry during the 2007-2008 Congress. “Senator Sununu’s record in the Senate and in the 2008 campaign show that he’s simply too close to Big Oil. New Hampshire residents deserve a Senator who will fight for us to reduce our dependence on oil and protect our environment. Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen’s record shows that she will take on Big Oil and move America toward a new energy future,” Fox concluded. The full report is available at http://www.environmentnewhampshire.org/reports/election-2008-reports2/election-2008-reports/john-sununu-big-oil. “John Sununu: Too Close to Big Oil” is the second release in a series of analyses by Environment New Hampshire. Earlier reports detail how Representatives Hodes and Shea-Porter delivered clean energy, jobs, and savings for America. They can be found at http://www.environmentnewhampshire.org/reports/election-2008-resources. Back to Granite State Progress  |