After citizens met Rep. Jack Bergman's statement on energy with sharp criticism, Dr. Bob Lorinser says the constituency deserves a more moderate approach as he debunks energy myths.
“It's time my opponent drop the platform of oil tycoons and their political beneficiaries and start concentrating on the needs of citizens in rural Northern Michigan and the U.P.” — Dr. Bob Lorinser
ESCANABA, Mich. — On Wednesday morning, Dr. Bob Lorinser published a statement promoting bipartisan solutions to rising gas prices. He condemned the political blame game and implored his opponent to work with his colleagues and the President on realistic energy solutions to help ease the burden on the American people from recent increases in gasoline prices from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dr. Bob’s opponent then took to social media in an attempt to blast the administration and advocate for a brash “drill, baby, drill” domestic energy policy. But, unfortunately, the Congressman’s solutions were fallacy ridden, backed by alternative facts, and met with sharp criticism.
SOLUTIONS ON ENERGY
Remove ‘bureaucratic obstacles’ to constructing new, modern energy infrastructure.
Our Congressman's no-vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan was Michigan's main obstacle to modernizing energy infrastructure. He had the opportunity to advance modern construction, including renewables, and my opponent opposed it. 'Bureaucratic obstacles,' Bergman's obstruction. Tomāto, Tomäto.
Increase energy resource production on federal lands.
Not applicable. There are currently 9,000 federal drilling permits approved. Oil companies are sitting on them. The United States has been a net annual petroleum exporter since 2020. We produce more than what we consume.
Construct new oil and gas infrastructure, approve applications, and approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
The southern part of the Keystone XL was completed– contacting Cushing, Oklahoma to Houston. This pipeline, mainly an export pipeline, is not for domestic use. Currently, the Tar Sands pipeline supplies Midwest refineries. If the northern portion of Keystone XL is approved, it will divert Canadian oil to the Gulf Coast and export markets, increasing costs at the pump by an estimated $.10 - $.20/gal for those of us in the Midwest.
Ensure continued operation of oil pipelines, including Line 5.
Advocating for a deteriorating 70-year-old pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac that takes fuel from Canada to Canada is not a serious solution for lowering U.S. gas prices. Period.
Pause all new discretionary regulatory activity that negatively impacts the energy sector until the Ukraine crisis is over, and global markets stabilize.
All? Without any details, this is unacceptable. All new discretionary regulatory activities do not necessarily equate to lower prices and could threaten our advancements addressing climate change and environmental protection.
End climate activism by federal agencies and order financial regulators to keep to their statutory mission.
I'll use my opponent's words. "The cure cannot be more harmful than the problem." We can address climate change and environmental issues at the same time. All three issues need meaningful solutions and urgent attention.
Lorinser believes if his opponent were serious about alleviating the strain on his constituents’ pocketbooks, he should be considering more moderate and more effective solutions based on ‘real facts’ and not just big oil.
Temporarily eliminating gas taxes could save around $.25 - $.90 per gallon.
Opening up more reserves could increase supply.
Temporarily waiving summer gas blends could save up to $.15 per gallon.
Revisiting the ethanol mandate that increased gas prices for negligible environmental benefits could save at the pump.
Preventing price gouging protects consumers and builds trust between suppliers.
Transforming the economy to electric energy will keep us focused on mitigating climate change and reducing dependence on foreign oil.
“These solutions do not belong to any single party,” said Dr. Lorinser. “They’re common-sense solutions. It's time my opponent drop the platform of oil tycoons and their political beneficiaries and start concentrating on the needs of rural Michigan. My focus as a Congressman would be to stand first with the citizens I serve.”
About Dr. Lorinser
For his entire career, Dr. Bob Lorinser (D-MI1) has dedicated his life to the service of his community and country.
After receiving three advanced degrees (Medical Doctor, Masters of Social Work, and Masters in Public Health), Dr. Lorinser worked as a social worker in a Veterans Affairs Hospital and as a physician with the Indian Health Service, serving the Navajo Nation. In 1989, he found his home in Michigan's First District, where he practiced family medicine for three decades.
Dr. Bob joined the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Services in 2011 to serve as a diplomat and Regional Medical Officer. The Lorinsers served the United States for ten years, with tours in Pakistan, South Korea, Afghanistan, Morocco, and Iraq.
When he returned to the states in 2020, Dr. Bob offered his services as Medical Director of Marquette County Health Department. He and his wife of 40 years, Peggy, live in Gwinn and have three children and four granddaughters.
Dr. Bob Lorinser hopes to serve and represent constituents in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. He is unopposed in the Democrat primary and poised to face Rep. Jack Bergman (R, Acme) in the general mid-term election this November. For more information, visit VoteDrBob.com.