Higgins Questions Drilling As Gas Price Curb

By Susan Chiappone

Rep. Brian Higgins said Friday he doesn’t oppose drilling for more oil but questioned the utility of that as a near-term solution to high fuel prices and said oil companies already have drilling rights they’re not taking advantage of.

Higgins’ comments came in an appearance before members of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce at the Chautauqua Country Club. The congressman addressed questions from the floor including issues about rising fuel costs.

“We need serious energy policies that wean us off of our addiction to oil,” said Higgins, D-Buffalo.

While he was not opposed to drilling — a practice being championed by some Republicans — he questioned the practices of oil companies who already have the rights to drill on millions of acres in the United States.

Higgins also said the impact of finding new oil would not be realized by consumers for 10 to 15 years.

“The problem is there are not enough tax incentives for innovation,” he said.

He referred to long-term European projects that fund inventions and methods to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

Higgins said he supported the plan for Jamestown to construct a clean-coal energy plant.

When discussing the rising costs of Medicaid, Higgins said he is concerned that the program is funding large business interests such as pharmaceutical and health insurance companies. He said he supports bi-partisan committees to review a solution to the rising costs of health care.

Higgins also said he is in favor of capping campaign spending and limiting contributions from large corporations.

Originally published by CHAUTAUQUA CORRESPONDENT.

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