Chris Hackett for Congress. Times Leader: Hopefuls stake out energy stances.

Hopefuls stake out energy stances

Hackett, Carney, Kanjorski map out ways to energy cost control, independence.

By Rory Sweeney rsweeney@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

PITTSTON TWP. – Though U.S. Rep. Chris Carney and his Republican opponent, businessman Chris Hackett, conflict over where America should get its fuel, they agree that increased domestic production is the key. And despite sniping at each other over which party is blocking progress toward solving the nation’s energy crisis, their party leaders have similar overall plans as well.

Calling a press conference on Tuesday at the Calex Logistics trucking company’s headquarters on Pittston Avenue, Hackett trotted out two local business owners whose operations rely on transportation – one a real estate agent, the other Calex’s owner – to note how rising fuel prices have caused them to make tough financial decisions. Calex owner Doug Barbacci said he’s had to consider reducing employee incentives and potentially slashing his work force. He hoped that, if elected, Hackett would be a “source of stability” and “the voice of reason in the region.”

Hackett then turned over the podium to U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., who advocated on Hackett’s behalf for an “all-of-the-above strategy” for energy independence, including domestic oil and gas exploration anywhere with potential, increased development of renewable sources, supporting Canadian tar sand digging and promoting conservation and efficiency.

Hackett then noted he supports lifting the moratorium on drilling for oil at coastal offshore sites and in drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He said Democratic presidential candidate Barrack Obama has made statements supporting offshore drilling, so “there seems to be a real movement to do what I think is the right thing to do.”

There’s where Carney, D-Dimock Township, takes issue. He instead supports so-called “use it or lose it” legislation that would increase the financial penalties for companies sitting on drilling leases on federal lands. He also voted for a bill that would suspend additions to the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve that he says will flood the supply market and naturally reduce prices.

Carney’s party, however, is not unified in its focus. U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, announced last week that he’s supporting the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act, which would allow drilling in ANWR and the coastal shelves to alleviate short-term price increases. It would also funnel federal royalties to fund what he called a “Manhattan Project” for energy research so that, if shepherded well, it could make America energy self-sufficient within 10 years.

Kanjorski felt the American public now is willing to question and challenge the energy industry’s actions so that the industry isn’t able to “delude” people into believing fuel prices are market-based. “I think the genie is out of the bag, at least I hope so,” he said. “They’ve been to hell and they’ve opened the door and they’ve looked inside.”

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.