On this they agree.
Both Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, and 6th Congressional District DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg believe the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be left untouched. by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
On this they agree.
Both Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, and 6th Congressional District DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg believe the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be left untouched.
Democrats including Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Al Franken have called for the release of some of the oil in the reserve as a means of lowering prices at the pump.
About 707 million barrels of crude oil are currently stored in salt shafts at different locations in the county in the reserve.
Dating from the 1970s and close to being topped off, recent changes in law have temporarily suspended shipment of some 70,000 barrels of oil a day to the reserve, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Presidents have tapped into the reserve, though infrequently.
In case of an attack or disaster
"We have that (the reserve) there specifically because of an enemy attack or a natural disaster would disrupted the flow of energy to the United States, said Bachmann.
"We have a three-and-a-half day supply of oil in the strategic oil reserve, she said.
"For Democratic (U.S. House) Speaker Nancy Pelosi to say we should somehow deplete our three-and-a-half day supply is shortsighted and would put our national security at risk, said Bachmann.
On point of clarification, Bachmann's office said the congresswoman in referring to the three-and-a-half day supply of oil was referring to the amount of oil proposed for release by Democrats, not the total amount in the reserve.
"We don't want to put the United States in a bad position militarily, said Bachmann, referring to recent fighting in Europe between Russia and Republic of Georgia.
Hands off policy
Tinklenberg, too, has a hands-off policy on the reserve.
"El believes we need to be honest about our energy policy and the honest answer is that the Strategic Oil Reserve is for emergency use such as after a natural disaster or terrorist attack, said John Wodele, Tinklenberg campaign spokesman in an e-mail.
"Releasing our reserves would maybe have a political impact and marginally affect (gas) prices but only in the short term, he said.
"To use up our strategic oil reserves now is not good energy policy or homeland security policy, said Wodele.
The energy department estimates the strategic reserve provides the United States about a 58-day buffer against the loss of imported oil.
Energy policies do not match
While Bachmann and Tinklenberg think alike on the reserve, their energy policies do not otherwise always match.
Bachmann is for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Area Refuge (ANWAR) though Tinklenberg recently indicated he did not support it.
Bachmann has actively called for drilling on the outer continental shelf while Tinklenberg has called for "exploration.
On nuclear energy Bachmann supports presumptive Republican presidential candidate Arizona Sen. John McCain's proposal for building an additional 45 new nuclear power plants in the United States.
"It's a great idea. And the sooner the better, said Bachmann.
Welcomes additional nuclear plant
Indeed, Bachmann would "welcome an additional nuclear power plant into the 6th District, she explained.
"Another nuclear power plant would bring down the price of people's monthly energy bills, said Bachmann.
She quipped that they could build a new nuclear plant in her backyard, arguing that nuclear energy is safe.
Tinklenberg's support for nuclear energy is more tenuous.
"On a limited basis, I think nuclear has a role to play in our energy future, said Tinklenberg during a recently energy tour of the district.
Tinklenberg deemed McCain's proposal for 45 new nuclear plants "irresponsible.
He argued the proposal wasn't well thought out.
Both Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, and 6th Congressional District DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg believe the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be left untouched. by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
On this they agree.
Both Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, and 6th Congressional District DFL challenger Elwyn Tinklenberg believe the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be left untouched.
Democrats including Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Al Franken have called for the release of some of the oil in the reserve as a means of lowering prices at the pump.
About 707 million barrels of crude oil are currently stored in salt shafts at different locations in the county in the reserve.
Dating from the 1970s and close to being topped off, recent changes in law have temporarily suspended shipment of some 70,000 barrels of oil a day to the reserve, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Presidents have tapped into the reserve, though infrequently.
In case of an attack or disaster
"We have that (the reserve) there specifically because of an enemy attack or a natural disaster would disrupted the flow of energy to the United States, said Bachmann.
"We have a three-and-a-half day supply of oil in the strategic oil reserve, she said.
"For Democratic (U.S. House) Speaker Nancy Pelosi to say we should somehow deplete our three-and-a-half day supply is shortsighted and would put our national security at risk, said Bachmann.
On point of clarification, Bachmann's office said the congresswoman in referring to the three-and-a-half day supply of oil was referring to the amount of oil proposed for release by Democrats, not the total amount in the reserve.
"We don't want to put the United States in a bad position militarily, said Bachmann, referring to recent fighting in Europe between Russia and Republic of Georgia.
Hands off policy
Tinklenberg, too, has a hands-off policy on the reserve.
"El believes we need to be honest about our energy policy and the honest answer is that the Strategic Oil Reserve is for emergency use such as after a natural disaster or terrorist attack, said John Wodele, Tinklenberg campaign spokesman in an e-mail.
"Releasing our reserves would maybe have a political impact and marginally affect (gas) prices but only in the short term, he said.
"To use up our strategic oil reserves now is not good energy policy or homeland security policy, said Wodele.
The energy department estimates the strategic reserve provides the United States about a 58-day buffer against the loss of imported oil.
Energy policies do not match
While Bachmann and Tinklenberg think alike on the reserve, their energy policies do not otherwise always match.
Bachmann is for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Area Refuge (ANWAR) though Tinklenberg recently indicated he did not support it.
Bachmann has actively called for drilling on the outer continental shelf while Tinklenberg has called for "exploration.
On nuclear energy Bachmann supports presumptive Republican presidential candidate Arizona Sen. John McCain's proposal for building an additional 45 new nuclear power plants in the United States.
"It's a great idea. And the sooner the better, said Bachmann.
Welcomes additional nuclear plant
Indeed, Bachmann would "welcome an additional nuclear power plant into the 6th District, she explained.
"Another nuclear power plant would bring down the price of people's monthly energy bills, said Bachmann.
She quipped that they could build a new nuclear plant in her backyard, arguing that nuclear energy is safe.
Tinklenberg's support for nuclear energy is more tenuous.
"On a limited basis, I think nuclear has a role to play in our energy future, said Tinklenberg during a recently energy tour of the district.
Tinklenberg deemed McCain's proposal for 45 new nuclear plants "irresponsible.
He argued the proposal wasn't well thought out.
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