Washington, D.C. – Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici today called on Senate Democrats to free the energy bill so Congress could free Americans from rising energy rises, the threat of more blackouts and the pending natural gas crisis. Chairman Domenici issued the following statement following a 1:30 p.m. press conference in the Senate Radio and TV Gallery: “Let’s cut the politics, so we can cut the cut the price of gasoline, natural gas, coal and home heating oil. I am here today to urge Senate Democrats to help us pass the energy bill so we can free Americans from the threat of blackouts and the pending natural gas crisis. “This bill has incentives for deepwater oil production that will make a real impact on domestic oil production. The last time we passed deepwater incentives, back in 1995, deepwater oil production in the Gulf of Mexico rose 535 percent. Oil from the Gulf accounts for 30 percent of our domestic oil production. “This bill stabilizes energy prices, increases production and diversifies our energy supply. The energy bill will have an impact on gasoline prices, coal prices, natural gas prices and the cost and reliability of electricity. Let’s stop politicking energy and pass this bill.” ###