THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF WEST VIRGINIA CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO.

WASHINGTON – In an effort to provide a new resource for West Virginians facing rising gas prices, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today unveiled a new website that will provide an all-encompassing location for information about high energy costs, new policy proposals and helpful fuel efficiency tips.

Capito unveiled her Energy Action Center this morning and the website can be accessed from a prominent link on her website’s homepage.

“The cost of fuel is one of the top issues facing West Virginia families today and this website is designed to be a resource for them,” said Capito. “From providing information about saving money at the pump, to providing an outlet for reporting price-gouging, to promoting ideas for solving our nation’s energy challenges, this website provides a one-stop-shop for West Virginians concerned about our energy security.”

The Capito Energy Action Center includes the following key sections:

Video Introduction from Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.
Helpful Hints and Links section with information about finding low-price gasoline, increasing fuel efficiency, reporting suspected price-gouging, and contacting Congresswoman Capito.
Capito News section with links to news about Congresswoman Capito’s efforts to promote energy solutions.
Capito in the News section with links to news stories about energy independence.
Capito has been an advocate for a wide range of energy solutions, including increased domestic energy exploration, conservation efforts and investment in renewable energy technology.

Earlier this month Capito introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuel for Energy Security Act to mandate the use of 6 billion gallons of coal-to-liquid fuel annually by the year 2022. She has also continued her advocacy for lifting the federal ban on oil and natural gas exploration offshore and in the ANWR region of Alaska.

“There is no single solution to our energy needs,” she said. “But we have to be forward-thinking and we’ve got to have an all-hands-on-deck approach.”

“It makes no sense to self-impose restrictions on our domestic sources of energy at a time when we should be looking for ways to become less dependent on foreign energy – not more. We should promote exploration in the areas that are likely to have the largest impact on energy production.”

According to the Energy Information Administration, domestic drilling of oil and natural gas exploratory wells increased by 98% between 2000 and 2007, but domestic crude oil production decreased by 12.4% over the same period. Meanwhile, other government estimates suggest that offshore waters may contain as much as 85 billion barrels of oil, most of which is currently off-limits to production.