Reducing pollution is an invaluable investment in our citizens and in our environment. Time and time we have been able to show that the benefits far outweigh the costs. And Richardson came under fire for what Republicans said was the administration's attempt to blame the oil industry for the high prices. I am the energy secretary for the Clinton-Gore administration. Oil industry profits are up.
American people have questions about the high price of oil.
OPEC agreed to increase oil supplies by 800,000 barrels per day at a meeting in Vienna on Sept. 10, but the additional barrels are due to appear on the market from October 1. Weighing in on Thursday's controversy on Capitol Hill, OPEC President Ali Rodriguez said that tapping into the U.S. reserves would not result in a reduction of prices. Many Republicans see expanded oil and gas exploration on federal lands as a better answer. If we don't develop a tough energy policy and stick to it, we are just going to keep lurching from one crisis to another. We have to have a strong energy policy that will help us become more self sufficient.