Manchester, NH –United States Senator John Sununu, on a conference call with reporters today, discussed his plan for comprehensive energy reform in contrast with Jeanne Shaheen’s anti-New Hampshire energy plan and the Democratic Senate Leaderships continued attempts to thwart comprehensive energy reform.

“I support a balanced approach to comprehensive energy reform that starts with a focus on conservation, invests in renewable, alternative sources of energy, increases domestic and off shore production in an environmentally safe way, improves regulation of energy markets, and doubles LIHEAP funding for New Hampshire families,” said Senator Sununu. “Jeanne Shaheen’s plan is out of touch, straight out of the 1970's, provides no real solutions, and calls for pressuring OPEC to increase their production. Opposing new exploration in the United States while increasing OPEC production only guarantees greater dependence on foreign oil - not the direction we should be going in."

The Senator expressed disappointment in his opponent Jeanne Shaheen and in the Democratic leadership in Washington who continue to deny an up or down vote on comprehensive energy reforms that include incentives for clean, renewable energy, offshore energy production, increased funding for LIHEAP, and focus on conservation.

“Sadly, Jeanne Shaheen has remained silent amidst the Senate stonewalling and holds Granite Staters hostage to the whims of foreign leaders whose last consideration is the wallets of New Hampshire’s working families,” said Senator Sununu. "Jeanne Shaheen opposes any new off-shore domestic production, two elements of her plan have already been done and the remaining two elements only guarantee a significant increase in the dependence on foreign oil.”

Jeanne Shaheen’s Anti-New Hampshire Energy Plan:

Calls For No New Domestic Production But Would Force Companies To Drill On Currently Leased Land Whether It Is Productive Or Not.

Calls To Close The Enron Loophole – Even Though Recent Legislation Has Already Closed It. According to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): “The United States Congress has approved a measure to close the ‘Enron Loophole.’ The measure was included in the Farm Bill conference report.”(Feinstein Press Release, Congress Approves Measure To Close “Enron Loophole,” 5/15/2008)

Calls For An End To Oil Shipments To The Strategic Petroleum Reserve – Even Though Recent Legislation Has Already Stopped Them: On May 13, 2008, John Sununu voted to suspend the 70,000 barrel per day shipment to the reserve. The measured passed by a margin of 97-1. President Bush signed the legislation on May 19, 2008.

Calls For OPEC To Produce More Oil Which Guarantees Greater Dependence On Foreign Oil.

Calls For A Tax on Energy Producers That Has Been Proven To Increase America's Dependence On Foreign Oil: A windfall profits tax was imposed by the Carter Administration in 1980 and according to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service increased our dependence on foreign oil 8% to 16% percent. Because of its failure the tax was rescinded as part of The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988.