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Utica, NY – Following the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and potential development of natural gas in Upstate New York, the Arcuri for Congress campaign this week called on Richard Hanna to clarify contradictions in statements he made during the 2008 election versus present day.

During the height of escalating fuel prices in 2008 Richard Hanna became increasingly critical of drilling moratoriums offshore and in Alaska saying, “it is urgent that we fast track the use of new energy sources.”

Yet in a recent interview Hanna said “It is agonizingly clear that neither the government nor Big Oil was prepared for the eventuality of the disaster in the Gulf. The lack of government oversight and BP's mismanagement are glaring evidence of our long overdue need to develop a national energy policy that moves us toward sustainable resources."

So where does Hanna really stand on drilling and exploration questioned Jeff Johnston, Communications Director for the Arcuri campaign. “Clearly in 2008 when it was politically correct to say ‘drill, baby, drill’ Mr. Hanna said precisely that, repeatedly. Now he points the finger at the lack of controls for the BP disaster when he specifically wanted to “fast track” drilling before. Now he claims to be against hydro-fracking, but will he hold that position next year? Who knows?”

Johnston claims that Hanna has unabashedly used fear tactics to encourage drilling, particularly with seniors, going as far as to say “people living in this district are going to be freezing to death in their homes or they’re going to be going without medicine, not paying rent or mortgage and be forced into bankruptcy,” if offshore drilling isn’t allowed.

“It’s only a matter of time before he shifts his stance on natural gas drilling,” added Johnston. “As history repeats itself, it will be interesting to see what gets him to change his mind on this issue.”

Johnston notes that Arcuri has remained a vocal opponent of the natural gas drilling process known as hydro-fracking since he first entered office, citing the responsibility to protect our fragile water sources which fracking could easily endanger if the necessary precautions are not taken. The process could potentially contaminate water sources and aquifers. Last week he received applause from dozens of national environmental and sportsmen groups for successfully amending a provision in the 2005 Energy Bill that would remove a “sweetheart deal” exemption on drilling given to oil and gas companies like BP. The amendment was successfully offered and passed with bipartisan support.

“This amendment will hold big oil and gas to the same environmental standards as every other industry in preventing unnecessary runoff from construction sites that could contaminate our rivers, lakes and streams,” said Arcuri. “By giving them a pass on this important regulation, we're essentially assuming the oil and gas industries will take the necessary environmental precautions on their own. That's the same sort of fast-track approach that led to the BP oil spill.”

Johnston added, “Giving oil and gas companies this exemption in 2005 is exactly the kind of fast track policy intended by Hanna to speed up drilling in 2008.  It is also the same kind of fast track policy that led to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and risks contaminating our ground and surface water in Upstate New York.”

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