Candidates spar on gas prices
Expand drilling, challenger says

By Alexa James

Times Herald-Record

June 26, 2008 6:00 AM

HOPEWELL JUNCTION — The price of gas skyrocketed after Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, took office.

Coincidence?

Republican challenger Kieran Lalor doesn't think so. The Peekskill newcomer, who's challenging Hall in the hotly contested 19th District, has been slamming his opponent's energy policy positions. Lalor's latest dig is a sign outside his campaign headquarters in Dutchess County's Hopewell Junction: "Pain at the pump?" it asks motorists cruising by on Route 52. "Blame John Hall."

The sign ticks off gas prices during Hall's term. Only $2.31 in 2007 when Hall, a 59-year-old freshman, took office. And now? Four bucks and climbing. Lalor says Hall's "naive" energy policy has only made things worse.

That's a bold claim, but finger-pointing aside, the price of oil will take a front-row seat at the polls come November, and Hall and Lalor are miles apart on drilling and gas-price policies.

Lalor, 32, wants Washington to stop begging foreign countries to produce more oil and start allowing oil companies to use more real estate at home. "We're sitting on our own supply," he said, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

Oil rigs in the Gulf are already in use by other nations. "Even China is drilling in the Gulf," he said. "They're putting their straw right in our oil."

As for the Alaskan tundra, Lalor said oil drilling would disturb only "a fraction of a fraction of the entire wildlife reserve."

But on Capital Hill this week, Hall argued that oil companies are simply posturing for more access and already have plenty of places to drill. "Seventy- five percent of oil in the United States is on land already open for production. Less than one third is being used," he said. "The oil's worth more to them in the ground."

Hall expects to vote this week in favor of a "use it or lose it" bill that would force the five largest oil companies to utilize 68 million acres of oil reserves already leased for development before securing additional real estate in Alaska and offshore.

House Republicans Wednesday blocked legislation the Democratic leadership put forward to head off gasoline and diesel price gouging. The Federal Energy Price Gouging Prevention Act, which Hall supported, would allow the government to investigate and punish refineries, wholesalers and retailers that spike prices with no market justification.

Hall has often talked about the "rockets and feathers syndrome."

When the world price of crude shoots up, he explains, so too does the price at the pump, but when crude prices drop, the price at the gas station doesn't follow suit.

"The price of gas goes up like a rocket and comes down like a feather."

Lalor's energy platform favors less regulation of the oil industry and abolishment of all gas taxes. "Approximately 54 cents on every gallon goes to local, state and federal governments," he said, suggesting Congress kill earmarks and ethanol subsidies to make up the difference.

Hall countered that gas taxes are a must because they fund the nation's infrastructure.

And what are the candidates' vehicles of choice?

Hall drives a hybrid Mercury Mariner on the campaign trail and Lalor recently downsized his SUV for a Honda Civic.