George Bush's position on

Gas Prices in America: Americans consume 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, the most out of any country with each person using about 3 gallons on a daily basis. However, even though gas is cheaper here than in other countries, their has been an 11.5 percent price increase since 2000 when President Bush took office. As of June 2004, their is a 43 cent tax per gallon of gas. Link: http://www.magma.nationalgeographic.com

Description of candidate's position: President Bush will ensure construction of an Alaska natural gas pipeline to increase domestic natural gas supplies as well as promote domestic oil production in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Bush also plans on providing incentives to develop natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. He will support work to secure passage of a renewable fuel standard requiring five billion gallons of ethanol or biodiesel in motor fuels by 2012. President Bush plans to promote hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles by increasing tax credit for people buying them as well as a $100,000 tax break for businesses buying large SUVs. Bush would like to reduce our dependence on foreign sources for oil.

Quotation from the Candidate: "I am firmly opposed to increasing gas taxes and will fight any attempt to do so. We must address the transportation issues facing America with smart, effective legislation that will enhance mobility and increase safety without raising taxes on consumers…I am concerned about how the price of gasoline affects families and businesses, and I have proposed a comprehensive energy plan (as stated in the candidate's position) to lower energy prices for the long term. It would increase domestic energy production, expand the use of technology, encourage alternative and renewable energy, reduce dependence on foreign sources, create new jobs and promote economic growth. Unfortunately, energy legislation incorporating a number of my proposals has been blocked by a minority of senators." July 2004

Assessment of the Proposal:

Positive: Walter Cruickshank, the deputy director of the Mineral's Management Service in Washington along with Larry Cooke, a geologist in Alaska, say Alaska is one of the few places that the oil industry can still explore for drilling. They believe it will be economically a very good idea to produce more domestically under George Bush's new plan.

Negative: Drilling more oil domestically would do nothing to solve other problems in the United States according to Arlon Tussing, an energy economist in Seattle. Tussing also states oil from the Alaskan refuge would also "probably not lower global oil prices, nor would it free the nation from dependence on OPEC oil or end the nation's vulnerability to disruptions in the production of foreign crude." Link:

Comparison: While Kerry's plan assumes no raise in gas taxes unlike his 1993 vote for a 50 cent gas tax, President Bush has made it clear we need to step up the oil supply we produce domestically in the United States and quit relying so heavily on outside resources. Both candidates, however, see a need to change the way we get oil as well as new environmental requirements for automobiles and oil using machinery with new technology.

Link to Kerry's issue page

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