PRESS RELEASE:

Chesapeake, VA—Unsure of the economy and feeling a bite at the pumps, more than 100,000 citizens are sending a loud message to Congress to lift the legislative and funding ban on offshore oil drilling, or forego their August recess.

“The energy crisis is crippling American families, and they want real action, right now. If that means Congress needs to stay overtime, and postpone vacation plans, so be it” says Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org, one of the nation’s leading online citizen action networks. “Lifting the ban on offshore drilling makes sense, and based on the incredible response that we have seen since launching this petition over the last four days, it’s something Americans are demanding.”

Elliott adds that because of the severity of the crisis, and the looming, month-long congressional recess, Grassfire representatives are delivering petitions on a daily basis to both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Time is short, and they both need to see that Americans want the ban lifted right now.”

In addition to lifting the ban on offshore drilling, the petition also supports removing restrictions for exploration in ANWR, lifting barriers on Shale Oil exploration, enhancing exploration for natural gas, significantly increasing domestic nuclear power and building more refineries. “It’s obvious to all that changes must be made regarding our energy policies. Americans are doing their part. Now it’s time Congress steps up and does something constructive and positive for the people,” says Elliott.

Click here to see the Petition.

For more information about Grassfire.org, or to schedule an interview with Grassfire President Steve Elliott, contact Ron De Jong at 757-487-7900 or email Ron De Jong

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