Harris releases energy plan

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) announced his energy plan during a speech before the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. The GOP nominee in Maryland's 1st Congressional District, Harris, a physician, called his proposal a "prescription for the pain at the pump," pledging to "take the lead in fighting against these out of control gas prices."

"Working families should not be forced to decide whether to fill up the gas tank or put food on their table," Harris said.

A five-point plan, Harris reiterates earlier campaign pledges in his proposal, including a call to suspend the gas tax from Memorial Day, which has passed, through Labor Day.

State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), Harris' opponent, has rejected the idea of a gas tax holiday, calling it a "ploy" and a "short-term answer" in a recent radio interview, while saying it "does little good."

Harris' support for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a position that U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, rejected after announcing his support for offshore oil drilling earlier this week.

"We'll have to agree to disagree," Harris Campaign Manager Chris Meekins told PolitickerMD.com in regards to McCain's position on ANWR.

"Andy feels it is in the best interest of the people of the first district to explore," Meekins added.

Kratovil has also spoken out against drilling in ANWR, citing environmental concerns.

"The reality of ANWR is the benefits do not outweigh the costs," Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil's communications director, told PolitickerMD.com yesterday.

The Harris proposal, as provided by the campaign, is as follows:

1.    Temporarily suspend the federal and state gasoline taxes of $.42 from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

2.    Increase efficiency and simplify the refining process by temporarily reducing the over 40 different gasoline blends nationwide to four blends.

3.    Open domestic natural gas and oil production in areas such as off the Aleutian Islands, in ANWR, and on the continental shelf to decrease our dependence on oil from foreign countries.

4.    Increase long-term oil-refining capacity by establishing fast-track approval for construction of new refineries and expansion of existing refineries.

5.    Provide incentives for technological innovations in alternative forms of energy like nuclear, cellulosic ethanol, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen cell.