FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2008

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Last week, President George W. Bush announced new efforts to relieve burdensome fuel costs and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil by finally tapping oil sources available right here in the United States. Center for Individual Freedom President Jeffrey Mazzella released the following statement applauding the President’s announcement:

“We applaud President Bush for his efforts to increase domestic oil production. As a nation, we need to seek solutions – both short- and long-term – to our nation’s energy problems. America’s eventual goal is cleaner, renewable fuels. The present-day reality, however, is that Americans rely on oil and cannot afford to pay exorbitant amounts of money for it. Hard-working Americans are in trouble right now as they struggle to pay skyrocketing prices for gasoline.

“Meanwhile, Congress denies this reality and refuses to allow development of domestic energy sources. Time and again, polls show that Americans want to use American oil and natural gas, but Congress doesn’t seem to listen. The politicians in Washington say they’re looking for ways to lower gas prices, but they ignore the fact that the key to our nation’s short-term energy problems can be found right in our backyard.

“It’s critical for the U.S. to expand domestic oil production. Specifically, access to the Outer Continental Shelf, among other places. Technological innovations in oil exploration mean that there would be minimal environment impact, and experts say that the OCS could produce 18 billion barrels of oil. That would ultimately push prices down and give Americans some relief as we continue to develop long-term energy solutions.”