July 2, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: BRIAN PHILLIPS
202.577.1303
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Albuquerque - A poll published today shows Tom Udall is out of step with the public on energy  and what they see as the solution to lowering gas prices.  The survey, published by the Pew Research Center, show nearly half the country sees energy exploration, drilling and building new power plants as a top priority - up 12 points from just five months ago.

"It is a reflection of what the overwhelming majority of New Mexicans have been telling me - we need energy, we need it now and we must increase supply," said Pearce. "It is no surprise that with $4 per gallon gas, the rest of the country now believes what we have known for a long time here in New Mexico."

"Energy is the key to economic prosperity. Gas prices are affecting everything from the cost of food to New Mexico's tourist industry, which is so important to many of our small rural communities," said Pearce. "Tom supports a policy that has failed New Mexico and the country for over three decades. It is long past time the we put those policies behind us and I ask him to join me and the American people in calling for increasing American energy." 

Udall has voted to oppose increasing America's domestic supply of oil and gas more than a dozen times in Congress and opposed building new refining capacity six times.  In this election year, Udall has flip flopped on the issue of drilling and refineries in recent statements to the press. Congressman Pearce consistently votes in favor of access to American energy such as our resource in Alaska and the outer Continental Shelf because it is and has been the right policy for the country.

"Tom is acting like a typical Washington weather vane, and changing his position whichever way the political winds blow," Pearce added. "It's sad."

"Tom Udall has voted against our energy future time after time," said Pearce.  "Are we going to let him damage our future in the Senate?"

According to the Associated Press:

"The poll released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center shows nearly half of those surveyed - or 47 percent - now rate energy exploration, drilling and building new power plants as the top priority, compared with 35 percent who believed that five months ago.

"The Pew poll, conducted in late June, showed the number of people who consider energy conservation as more important declined by 10 percentage points since February from a clear majority to 45 percent. People are now about evenly split on which is more important.

"The number of people who said they considered increasing energy supplies more important than protecting the environment increased from 54 percent in February to 60 percent and the number of people who favor oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge also increased."