August 12, 2008--- With consumer anxiety over rising energy prices at a high, on August 12, Oregon FreedomWorks launched its LightsonOregon campaign.  In addition to educating consumers on Oregon’s energy crisis, the focus of the campaign is creating a widespread call upon policymakers to support sensible energy policies, particularly those that will increase energy supplies and bring large capital investments and jobs to the state.

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Even with only a few hours notice, FreedomWorks and friends were able to gather a respectable counter demonstration to oppose a group of MoveOn protesters calling for an “Oil-Free” presidency outside the Capitol Tuesday afternoon.

Who: FreedomWorks Oregon Director Russ Walker will be joined by economist Bill Conerly, members of the Oregon legislature, along with consumers, small business owners, and farmers effected by spiraling energy costs. What:

On behalf of hundreds of thousands of FreedomWorks members nationwide, I urge you to vote “No” on H.R. 6604: the Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act.  The bill states that its purpose is “to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater transparency and accountability to commodity markets” but the consequences of the legislation are greater intervention in markets and an expansion of government into the reach of private contracts.

It has been widely reported that the United States faces an energy crisis of epic proportions. This perceived crisis has left Americans facing significant pain at the pump, as the price of gasoline continues to rise and oil prices repeatedly stretch to record highs. In response, politicians from both sides of the aisle have scrambled to offer solutions in an attempt to soothe public anger over the costly impact of higher gas prices.  While Republicans have argued for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Congressional Democrats responded with a counterclaim: oil companies need to use what they already have.

On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of members of FreedomWorks nationwide, I urge you to vote “No” on H.R. 6515, the Drill Responsibly on Leased Lands Act of 2008, a bill that would: generate unnecessary federal intervention in the Alaskan oil and natural gas pipelines; impose “use it or lose it” lease restrictions on energy companies exploring for oil and natural gas; and restrict Alaskan oil exportation. H.R. 6515 impedes the efficient expansion of the nation’s energy resources, and would prove harmful to consumers.

On behalf of hundreds of thousands of members nationwide, I urge you to vote “No” on H.R. 415, a bill to designate the Taunton River as “Wild and Scenic.”  Far from being a bill that encourages responsible conservation, this is a misuse of legislation to impede energy and economic progress.