07/14/2008
Now it's time for Congress to act to help small business owners deal with rising energy costs
CONTACT: Melissa Sharp, 202-314-2068
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The following statement was issued by Dan Danner, executive vice president for the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business organization, in reaction to President Bush's announcement today lifting the executive ban on offshore drilling:
"With gasoline prices continuing to rise, it's critical that our federal government take action and find solutions to help all Americans have access to more affordable energy. According to NFIB research, energy costs are the second most critical problem facing America's small business owners today. More than 37 percent of businesses have energy costs linked primarily to operating vehicles, and the single largest business cost for more than 10 percent of small businesses is related to energy used in the business.
"For these reasons, NFIB supports exploring domestic energy supplies in an environmentally friendly way, and therefore strongly supports the President's decision to lift the executive ban on offshore drilling. NFIB urges Congress to follow the President's example by taking quick action to lift Congress' prohibition against offshore drilling.
"Congress needs to do their part to help small business owners struggling to afford record high gas prices. The longer we wait the more it will cost at the pump, putting additional cost pressures on the key contributors to our country's economic well-being, America's small businesses."
