In just 2 short years, ideological extremism has taken us from energy independence to energy dependence, resulting in devastating inflation, and leaving our nation’s security and economic well-being in the hands of those who wish to do us harm.
As the election approaches, we have been lulled into thinking that gas falling under $4.00 a gallon is a “savings” even though it is still twice as expensive as it was in 2020. The diesel fuel that drives our economy is over $5.00 a gallon. Heating oil and natural gas prices have skyrocketed, and our electricity rates are the 5th highest in the country.
Across the state and country, Pingree, Biden and their progressive colleagues have forced Americans into the difficult position of deciding to put food on the table, staying warm, or putting gas in the car to get to work.
As your representative in Congress, I will fight for a more measured and logical approach to our energy polices as we transition to renewable energy, one that doesn’t cause suffering for the 60% of Mainers who rely on heating oil to stay warm, or the more vulnerable members of our community (low income households, fixed income seniors, young families, etc.) who are being hurt by Maine’s high utility costs, including the 5th highest electricity rates in the country. I will fight to:
Reopen Federal Lands for fossil fuel leases. Despite their assertions to the contrary, the Biden administration has leased fewer acres for oil-and-gas drilling, both offshore and on federal land, than any other administration dating back to the end of World War II. President Biden’s Interior Department leased 126,228 acres for drilling through Aug. 20, his first 19 months in office, the analysis found. No other president has leased out fewer than 4.4 million acres at this stage of their first term.
Curb the administration’s efforts to further restrict current oil and gas production in the US, including current efforts to curtail oil and natural gas production in the Permian Basis (an area that provides 40% of our oil, and 10% of our natural gas).
Increase the development and use of “reliable” energy sources like natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, and biofuels like those currently being developed from wood waste in Maine.
It’s time to take decisions about our future out of the hands of extremists like Pingree. Please vote Thelander in November.
