NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILIES CANT AFFORD TWO MORE YEARS OF PAUL HODES

21st October 2008

NASHUA –Jennifer Horn, Republican candidate for Congress, spoke on energy independence and the economy today at a press conference from The Red Blazer Restaurant in Concord.

Jennifer Horn: “A long term energy strategy is the key to our economic development.  We have had an energy crisis for over 30 years, and if we leave it up to Paul Hodes and this Congress, they will continue to talk about the need for energy independence, but actually not do anything about it.  Energy Independence is an economic, security and environmental problem and its time to send someone to congress who will actually work to do something about it and not make excuses.”

WHAT DID PAUL HODES SAY?
“Develop a safe, sustainable energy supply for the future.  Eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.”
- Union Leader, October 26, 2004

“A 21st century energy policy is a matter of national security.  We must lessen our dependence on Middle East oil.  We can become more self-sufficient by harnessing wind power and developing new sources of energy like bio-fuels.  We can also conserve energy by building more fuel-efficient cars and developing new technologies to save energy.”                                            
– Concord Monitor, June 11, 2006

WHAT DID PAUL HODES DO IN CONGRESS?
1. Voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. (Roll Call 524, 553, 831)
2. Voted against establishing new refineries. (Roll Call 391, 435)
3. Voted against providing incentives for alternative energies. (Roll Call 310, 340, 391, 524)
4. Voted to increase U.S. dependence on foreign oil by restricting domestic production on federal lands. (Roll Call 211, 310, 341, 526, 577)
5. Voted to increase taxes on the production of gasoline, home heating oil, natural gas, and other vital energy sources. (Roll Call 83, 454)
6. Voted with Nancy Pelosi 98% of the time

WHAT DID GAS PRICES DO?
When Paul Hodes took office, the average gas price in New Hampshire was about $2.29 per gallon.  By July 2008, gas prices had soared to over $4.00 per gallon.  That’s a 75% increase.

 
 “New Hampshire families can’t afford two more years of Paul Hodes,” stated Horn.   “In Congress, Paul Hodes voted numerous times to block a comprehensive energy plan in August of this year, while gas prices soared. And, rather than work to fix the legislation, Hodes voted to send Congress on a five-week vacation without addressing it.”

The Jennifer Horn Energy Plan is a two tiered approach:

1. Immediately begin accessing our own natural resources.  Estimates are that we could begin to see oil by the barrel in anywhere from 2-7 years (claims that it would take 30 years are grossly exaggerated). 

With today’s technology we know it is now possible to access our own resources with virtually no environmental impact.  We need to drill where there is actually oil; to fail to do is simply irresponsible.   While domestic and off-shore drilling might not solve all our problems, it’s a step in the right direction.  At the same time, we need to build new refineries and loosen restrictions on construction of new nuclear power plants.  We need to continue to move forward with clean diesel and clean coal technologies.

2. Innovation.  American ingenuity cannot be surpassed and as a country we need to figure out how to best apply alternative technology.  We know from the story of the Red Blazer in Concord, NH that it is possible and accessible.  We need to explore Biofuels, Wind, Solar, and Hydro power.  New Hampshire should be the leader in the development and implementation of alternative technologies.  But we also understand there will be no one magic answer – energy independence will come by applying various alternatives where they make the most sense.  Ultimately, there must be market driven solutions if they are to succeed long term. 

“Family budgets were destroyed because of the high cost of gas and home heating oil.  Paul Hodes has offered nothing more than partisan politics, glossy mailers and empty rhetoric.  He has voted against energy independence and for the largest tax increase in the history of our nation.  New Hampshire families are tired of the failures of Paul Hodes.  They are tired of the excuses and are ready for new and a new approach,” concluded Horn.