Tom Udall Hearts High Gas Prices
Apparently not satisfied with his career-long support of high taxes, Udall is boosting his liberal credentials with opposition to energy independence and support for higher gas prices. Udall, who has already opposed drilling in ANWR and supported raising taxes oil production, is now attempting to delay drilling in his home state. Udall wants to give archaeologists more time to complete studies before another home-grown resource can help to reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
With all due respect to the archaeologists studying at the site, oil prices will only serve to further damage an economy that is already in trouble. His vote last week to raise taxes on oil production, and thus prices on consumers, doesn’t help either. Making the cost of travel even higher at a time when the economy can ill afford it will only exaggerate the impact of a potential recession. Udall knows this, but he unfortunately is more concerned with keeping his friends on the coasts happy than looking out for the interests of those in his state.
Energy is an underplayed issue, and Tom Udall will look to keep it that way. While the few locals directly impacted by the project may appreciate his position, other New Mexicans are well aware of the need to begin becoming independent of Middle Eastern oil. Rep. Steve Pearce has been a staunch advocate of a more responsible energy policy and will do well to focus the attention of New Mexicans on the issue.