Stenberg Criticizes Senator Ben Nelson’s Vote Against American Energy Independence

May 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Don Stenberg, Nebraska State Treasurer and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, today criticized Sen. Ben Nelson’s recent vote against expanding domestic energy production. Stenberg spoke today at the Grand Island Rotary Club. http://www.StenbergForSenate.com

“When Nebraskans are paying some of the highest gas prices in the country and with continued instability in the Middle East, it is difficult to comprehend why Senator Nelson would vote against expanded domestic energy production, “ Stenberg said.

“Just last week, the United States Senate voted on the Offshore Production and Safety Act co-sponsored by Senator Mike Johanns. Senator Nelson voted no on this common sense legislation.”

“I am concerned about the economic future of our country.  Low-cost energy is vital to a strong national economy.  In order to have low-cost energy, we must have adequate energy supplies. However, because of poor government policy, our energy supplies are at risk.  Our dependence on foreign oil is an economic security risk. Because of poor government policy, we are sending our oil money to foreign governments who are not entirely friendly to the United States.”

“And we are also sending oil production jobs overseas. The United States has vast undeveloped energy resources.”

“To have low-cost energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, keep our energy dollars and jobs at home, we need to develop our domestic energy resources.  But we have not.  Why haven't we? Because too many politicians in Washington have sided with the radical environmentalists to stifle domestic energy development.”

“We should be developing our Alaskan oil resources.  But Senator Ben Nelson opposes it. We should accelerate development of our offshore oil resources.  But Senator Ben Nelson opposes it.”

“In order to have a stronger economy, we must send people to Washington who will support developing our domestic energy resources.”

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Mr. Stenberg served as Nebraska Attorney General from 1990-2002 and was elected Nebraska State Treasurer in 2010 with 73 percent of the vote. Stenberg was the Republican U.S. Senate nominee in 2000 and although polls showed him starting behind Senator Ben Nelson by more than 30 percentage points, he turned it into the closest U.S. Senate race in Nebraska history. Today, two published polls show Stenberg with a 4 to 6 percent lead over Senator Nelson, even though at the time the polls were taken he was not yet a candidate.