By Marilyn Thomas, special to the Chicago Tribune
Tribune staff reporter Stanley Ziemba contributed
Thursday, July 6, 2000
The General Assembly's action last week suspending the state sales tax on gasoline until the end of the year has provided Chicago-area motorists some relief from the unusually high prices they are paying at the
pump this summer. But similar crises could develop unless the nation develops a comprehensive, long-term energy policy, said U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.).
The 2nd District congressman, who represents a large portion of the south suburbs, said such a policy should include reauthorizing and expanding uses for the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which allows the president to allow use of millions of barrels of stored oil in energy emergencies. The policy also should include provisions for creating a Northeast home heating-oil reserve to ensure heating-oil costs will not skyrocket as gasoline prices have this summer.
"We need an energy policy which reduces our dependence upon foreign oil, explores alternative energy
sources and does so without abandoning our commitment to maintaining a healthy environment for our children," Jackson said.
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Click here to read more of Congressman Jackson's Issues and Positions.
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