National Push for Lower Gas Prices and Energy Independence Kicks off in Cleveland

Sen. Reid details the Senate Democratic plan for energy independence by 2020.

Sherrod and Sen. Reid chat with supporters before the event.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid joins Sherrod at Cleveland news conference.

Ohio Drivers Paying Nearly $1 More a Gallon for Gas than Last Year

The Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland was brimming with activity Saturday afternoon, May 20, as dozens of Clevelanders turned out to to hear Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and Sherrod discuss their plan to lower gas prices and move America toward energy independence by 2020.

Ohioans traveled to the event from as far away as Medina and Lake County to hear solutions for skyrocketing gas prices, which have jumped almost a dollar a gallon since one year ago.

Sherrod spoke first about his ideas to lower prices at the pump through a 60-day gas tax holiday, and the creation of a regional gasoline reserve system.

Sen. Reid used the event to kick off a nationwide push by Senate Democrats to make America energy independent by 2020. He also showed his strong support for Sherrod?s campaign by telling the crowd that his happiest day in Washington was the day Sherrod Brown announced his candidacy.

Sherrod and Senator Reid energized the large crowd gathered in front of a new giant wind turbine, which is capable of producing seven percent of the Science Center's electricity.

Also speaking at the news conference were two Northeast Ohio mothers struggling with the burden of soaring gas prices.

Reverend Lois Annich, a Presbyterian minister and counselor, spoke passionately about the social and economic injustice of working families being stuck with high gas prices while oil companies take in record profits. Patients in her counseling practice are feeling the stress as more of their family budget is consumed by fuel costs.

"This is a social injustice of the highest order," she said.

Jennifer Tucker, a working mother of two, explained that gas prices have hit the Tucker family particularly hard. Tucker must travel from Medina County to Cleveland five days a week -- more than 50 miles round trip -- to finish her graduate program in nursing, which she hopes will lead to a good-paying job. Her family now spends up to $500 a month on gas, which she can only pay by adding more debt to her student loans.

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05/22/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Environment, gas, (all tags)