Energy takes center stage in N.H. senate battle

The fight for the U.S. Senate has shifted into high-gear with a debate over high energy prices and which candidate offers the best plan to reduce prices.

Both former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) and U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) held conference calls with reporters Thursday to discuss various energy issues.

Speaking from a Somersworth's Borderline Fuels, Shaheen offered a five-point plan that she says would reduce home heating costs.

Shaheen's plan would require President Bush to release oil from the strategic petroleum reserve on November 1 if prices remain at current levels, triple funding for home heating assistance, increase funding to help families weatherize their homes, extend energy efficiency tax credits for small businesses, extend tax credits for biodiesel production and wood stoves.

"I think if we take a comprehensive approach we can help families address the challenges that everyone is facing with the high energy costs," she said. "We need to act now; we've had enough of Washington with the Bush/Sununu agenda that has supported big oil companies above New Hampshire families."

In an earlier conference call with reporters, Sununu called Shaheen's energy plan, which she released last week, "out of touch" and "straight out of the 1970s."

"Sadly, Jeanne Shaheen has remained silent amidst the Senate stonewalling and holds Granite Staters hostage to the whims of foreign leaders whose last consideration is the wallets of New Hampshire's working families," Sununu said in a press release. "Jeanne Shaheen opposes any new off-shore domestic production, two elements of her plan have already been done and the remaining two elements only guarantee a significant increase in the dependence on foreign oil."

Sununu said he supports a "balanced" energy plan that would focus on renewable energy sources, conservation efforts, increase in domestic drilling and would double home heating assistance.

Echoing Shaheen's sentiments, Judy Reardon, a senior advisor to Shaheen, emailed supporters and told them that Sununu is supporting "big oil" companies.

"John Sununu on the other hand sides with George Bush and big oil rather than New Hampshire families. John Sununu repeatedly has voted to protect billions of dollars in subsidies for big oil instead of supporting energy efficiency programs that help people pay for insulation, efficient windows and storm doors and the like and instead of alternative energy," Reardon wrote.

She also told supporters that Shaheen supporters domestic drilling on land oil companies currently hold leases for.

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-Jeanne Shaheen discusses proposals to lower gas prices and help New Hampshire families struggling in today's economy