By Bill Zeeble
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-726337.mp3
Dallas, TX – At a Dallas bio-diesel station, Cornyn pushed the Republicans' newest energy bill introduced last week by Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell. Cornyn and 42 other Senators signed onto the proposal that would permit deep sea Atlantic and Pacific drilling, allow more shale exploration, increase use and funding of plug-in electric cars, and beef up oversight of the futures market. Cornyn says commodities speculators have been blamed for the most recent spike in gas prices.
Cornyn: "If speculators, commodity futures traders, see Congress is serous about producing supply, I think it would have an immediate impact on the price of oil and help bring down prices."
Cornyn admits however, additional drilling would not lead to more gas for at least 10 years. The Cornyn campaign says the Alaskan refuge has been removed from possible drilling as a concession to Democrats. Cornyn's opponent, Rick Noriega, has stressed more alternative energy development and his campaign has promised a comprehensive energy policy in the next few weeks.
Bill Zeeble KERA news.