「時報訊」英國石油公司(BP)在阿拉斯加州北部山坡地的大油管在本週宣佈關閉，因為該州是美國最大的石油生產地，因此油價馬上每桶上漲了二塊美金，密蘇里州的駕駛人因此要付更高的油價．美國民主黨參議員候選人Claire McCaskill 指出，密蘇里州的居民必須付更高的油價，只是因為BP公司的大油管被關閉。事實上美國政府已經給石油公司創記錄的數百億獲利及可觀減稅，卻還要一般平民替他們的修護油管費用買單，這實在太不公平了。McCaskill說：「這個夏天對密蘇里州汽車駕駛人並不好過，因為政府的領導無方，導致一般汽油消費者的費用節節升高，目前我們所面臨的油價升高，是因為短視的能源政策直接促成的，目前政府的能源政策都在幫助大油商賺錢，而非幫助我們達到能源獨立和安全。」
本週BP公司關閉他們的油管，主要是因為他們發現油管有嚴重的腐蝕現象，但這並非單純的個案，就在五個月前，BP公司老舊的油管引起了阿拉斯加北海岸有史以來，最嚴重的漏油事件，引起美國交通部的重視，並立刻下令要求BP公司馬上改進油管腐蝕的檢查系統，想不到五個月後又重蹈覆轍。BP公司這家全球第二大石油上市公司，不但不去修補他們的石油管路，反而將獲利，用在投資外國的石油生產，今年夏天，密蘇里的每個家庭都必須面對破記錄的高油價。由於BP公司的疏忽，導致基本設施破損的費用，卻由消費者來負擔，是不公平的。McCaskill表示：「當大石油公司獲得高額減稅和空前的獲利記錄的同時，我們也負擔了破記錄的高油價，現在因為這些石油公司拒絕去保養他們的油管，我們大家卻被迫負擔高油價，這是不對的。」
密蘇里州的居民百姓，已經因為布希政府及共和黨掌控之國會不願意去節制石油和天然氣公司的合理價格，無法提出真正的「能源改革」計劃而付出了不少代價，。McCaskill指出，她將保證積極推動一個負責任的能源政策，把油價拉下來，並加速美國的能源獨立。McCaskill 強調：「多年來不負責任的能源立法，已經把我們的國家推向能源危機的邊緣，如果我能當選參議員，我一定會為能源計劃負責任且奮鬥到底，保護一般的消費者，鼓勵替代石油，同時通過發展再生能源立案，來減少我們對石油的依賴。」密蘇里的州的選民要選出一位能真正為他們說話的參議員。
McCaskill Unveils Report On Missouri Price Hikes Due to BPAmidst Record Profits And Record Tax Breaks, Why Are Consumers Footing The Bill For Big Oil's Negligence?
August 10, 2006
ST. LOUIS - With this week's shutdown of the BP pipeline in Alaska's North Slope, which serves as the U.S.'s single biggest source of crude oil, oil prices immediately jumped $2 a barrel, ensuring even higher prices at the pump for Missouri consumers. Today, U.S. Senate Candidate Claire McCaskill highlighted the irony that Missouri drivers are getting hit with higher gas prices because of the shut down of the BP pipeline, even after the U.S. Government has given billions to oil companies already making record profits.
"This summer has not been kind to Missouri drivers," said McCaskill. "There is a lack of leadership in Washington and we are suffering for it at the pump. The rising gas prices we face now are the direct results of a short-sighted energy policy that helps big oil more than it helps increase our energy independence and security."
BP's closing of their pipeline this week, which was initiated after discovering severe corrosion, is not an isolated incident. Just five months ago, BP's aging pipeline created the largest-ever oil spill on Alaska's North Slope , prompting the U.S. Department of Transportation to order BP to improve its corrosion inspections.
Rather than repairing the pipeline, BP - the world's second-largest publicly traded energy company - sat by and did nothing as they raked in record profits and prioritized the investment of these profits on foreign production of oil. Now, Missouri families, who have been faced with record high gas prices all summer, will have to foot the bill for infrastructure damages caused by BP's neglect.
"Let me get this straight," said McCaskill. "While oil companies are receiving record tax breaks and posting record profits, we are paying record gas prices. Now, because these companies refused to maintain their pipelines, we are all forced to pay the price. That is not right."
Missouri families have already been footing the bill for the unwillingness of the Bush administration and Republican Congress to hold oil and gas companies accountable for price-gouging at the pumps, while failing to put a plan in place for real energy reform. McCaskill vowed to actively pursue a responsible energy policy to bring down gas prices and increase America's energy independence.
"Years of irresponsible energy legislation have put our country on the brink of a full-blown energy crisis," said McCaskill. "When I go to Washington , I will fight for a responsible energy plan that will protect consumers, encourage alternative fuels, and reduce our reliance on oil through developing renewable sources of energy. Missourians deserve a Senator on our side."
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