News

June 18, 2008

Kanjorski pushes ‘dump the pump’

He backs not pumping gas or driving Thursday to send message to OPEC, oil firms.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski on Monday blasted members of OPEC and the U.S. petroleum industry and asked the public to “dump the pump” and refrain from pumping gas and driving on Thursday unless absolutely necessary.

Kanjorski said that by cutting down the consumption of petroleum products by a few percentage points, Americans would send a message that “we’re aware of the fact that we’re being taken advantage of, and that this $135-a-barrel oil and $4-plus gasoline has to cease.”

Joined by Luzerne County Transportation Authority Director Stan Strelish at a press conference on Public Square, Kanjorski promoted public transportation and legislation he said would help reduce energy prices.

He asks that Americans use public transportation and refrain from pumping gasoline on Thursday as part of a nationwide initiative.

Strelish said anyone who drops $1 in a bus fare box on Thursday will receive a pass allowing him or her to ride any LCTA bus any time and anywhere for the entire day.

Kanjorski said those who must drive should try to carpool, and teens and adolescents should refrain from “cruising.”

The congressman said a message also must be sent to oil companies in the United States that, “rather than being satisfied with good profits, have gone on to celebrate enormous profits.”

“If we send a message that we’ve had enough, and damn it, we won’t take it anymore,” Kanjorski said, pounding his fist on a podium, “even the American oil companies will begin to realize that they should be satisfied with a reasonable profit, not the gigantic profit they’re getting now.”

Strelish said people learned the importance of mass transportation when gas prices doubled in the 1970s, but until recently, it has been underused. He expects that will change, given gas prices recently hitting $4 per gallon.

Kanjorski said he supports legislation he said can reduce energy costs, including House Bill 6052 – the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act. At the LCTA’s request, he plans to sponsor the bill, which would authorize $1.7 billion in grants for mass transit authorities for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to help lower fares and expand transit services.

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 459-2005.

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