Kirk's energy plan is nothing new

On Aug. 6, Nate Frenkel from Northbrook wrote that Republican Congressman Mark Kirk supports "increased offshore oil exploration and recently introduced landmark legislation to boost alternative energy production." That legislation being the Apollo Energy Independence Act.

Kirk's Apollo Energy Independence Act is little more than a clone of the 2007 New Apollo Energy PAC associated with Democrat Jay Inslee. The only difference is Inslee's project wanted to end subsides for Big Oil, so is there any doubt as to why Kirk failed to sponsor it?

And while Kirk continues to champion offshore drilling in Congress, the Department of Energy has stated offshore drilling "would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030."

That doesn't sound like an immediate solution to me.

How about using our Strategic Oil Reserve for short-term relief instead, which could lower gas prices by 24 cents a gallon immediately.

With that aid, we can then focus on diversifying our energy use and put our tax dollars toward solving the energy crisis instead of feeding it.

These are the answers offered by Democrat Dan Seals.

It might be hard to hear reasonable solutions over the pointless drilling and talking by Republicans, but maybe it's time for us to listen a little closer to Democrats like Seals.

Alex Seher

Mount Prospect