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Charlottesville, VA- Environment Virginia released an analysis today documenting that Representative Drake has consistently voted against clean energy policies that could reduce our dependence on oil and save Virginians money at the gas pump while at the same time voted to protect $18 billion in subsidies for oil companies. That’s $170 for each family in Virginia at a time when those same families are paying $1,480 more a year for gasoline, compared to 2001.

“Time and again, Representative Drake has sided with Big Oil against the interests of Virginians,” said Ivan Frishberg for Environment Virginia. “Eight years of oil men in the Bush White House has left us even more dependent on oil, and our economy and our environment are paying the price. The last thing we need is another Big Oil ally like Thelma Drake representing us in Congress.”

Environment Virginia’s report lists the economic, national security and environmental concerns with oil dependence. The United States now imports 58 percent of its oil from abroad—up from 27 percent in 1985—and spends twice as much each year on gasoline as five years ago. That’s an additional $200 billion per year out of American’s pocketbooks, with much of it sent to unfriendly nations overseas. America’s use of oil produces more carbon dioxide—the leading global warming pollutant—than the entire economy of any other nation in the world besides China.

Environment Virginia pointed out that the technology exists today to make our cars and trucks go much farther on a gallon of gasoline. Automakers could achieve a fleet average of 40 miles per gallon within 10 years with existing technology. New technologies such as plug-in hybrids—which use a combination of gasoline and electricity—could allow cars to get more than 100 miles per gallon, while reducing pollution.

“Reducing America’s dependence on oil just makes common sense. But Big Oil and its lobbyists in Washington, D.C., have fought smart energy policies every step of the way, while working to protect their own lucrative taxpayer subsidies and immense profits,” continued Frishberg. “Rep. Drake has stood in the way of real progress toward a clean energy economy while supporting policies that keep Americans dependent on Big Oil, cost us more money at the gas pump, and threaten our treasured beaches and public lands with oils spills and pollution,” explained Frishberg.

Their analysis also highlighted that Rep. Drake has taken $28,500 in campaign contributions from the oil industry in the 2007 to 2008 Congress.

“Rep Drake’s record in Congress and in the 2008 campaign show that she’s simply too close to Big Oil. Virginians deserve a representative in Congress who will fight for us to reduce our dependence on oil and protect our environment. Glenn Nye’s commitment to clean energy on the campaign trail means that he will take on Big Oil and move America toward a new energy future,” Frishberg concluded.

The full report is available here.

“Thelma Drake: Too Close to Big Oil” is part of a series of analyses by Environment Virginia. The other report released today details how Virgil Goode has consistently sided with Big Oil and against the interest of Virginians. This report and more can be found here.

Paid for by Environment Virginia at www.EnvironmentVirginia.org.Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.