Jabs over energy

TUNKHANNOCK -- Chris Carney blasted big oil Monday, calling for an end to price gouging as an Internet-based news service chided the freshman congressman for accepting campaign donations from energy companies.

Carney, D-Dimock Township, held the seventh of 14 scheduled town hall meetings Monday, before a gathering of about 75 at the Wyoming County Courthouse.

The Federal Trade Commission has the authority to investigate and punish those who artificially inflate the price of energy, Carney said, but pointed out that the federal agency has never brought a case to court and hasn’t accurately defined price gouging.

“So the FTC is unable to prosecute,” Carney said. “But the chairman of Exxon Mobil received a $400 million bonus last year. Now you can’t tell me there isn’t price gouging going on out there.”

While Carney met with constituents, he was being blasted by the Majority Accountability Project for accepting a $2,000 check from SunPAC, the Political Action Committee of Sunoco Oil. The Majority Accountability Project describes itself as an independent Internet-based news and research service serving as an online clearinghouse of information on the House Majority.

Acknowledging that Carney returned the SunPAC donation, the Majority Accountability Project accused Carney of breaking a 2006 campaign pledge to not accept money from energy or big oil companies.

According to the Project, Carney accepted the SunPAC donation on Feb. 22 and reported in his recent quarterly financial statement to the Federal Elections Commission that he returned SunPAC’s donation on June 5.

“Congressman Carney has said repeatedly that he will not accept contributions from big oil companies,” said Rebecca Gale, Carney’s communications director in Washington D.C. “As soon as we learned of the donation, it was sent back. It is good to see the Majority Accountability Project going after big oil donations. Clearly, donations from big oil companies have influenced our nation’s policy for far too long.”

The Project also notes that Carney accepted money from “at least two large energy companies.” Exelon and FirstEnergy each contributed $1,000 to Carney’s campaign committee on June 29.

At the town meeting, Cynthia Stevens of Nicholson expressed concerns about the recent flooding of Martin’s Creek. She said she had five feet of water in her basement – the first time her house incurred such damage.

Carney said Martin’s Creek is part of a proposed study to be done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will look for ways to reduce and control storm water runoff. Carney said he wants to see a pro-active approach to flood control, rather than reacting to flooding after the fact.

“I know all about studies,” Stevens said after the meeting. “I heard a lot of words and promises, but sometimes studies can go slow.”

Ed Zygmunt, Carney’s field representative, said building a dry dam to accept runoff when storms hit has been discussed. The dam would otherwise remain dry, but would act as a holding place for storm water, thereby reducing the risk of flooding.

Other issues discussed at the town meeting included veterans’ benefits, immigration, the Iraq war, federal bureaucracy, food supply safety and the threat of Iran in the Middle East.

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Carney criticizes big oil; industry’s donations noted

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