Re "Bush drilling plan benefits oil companies, not consumers," a July 19 Community View by Rep. John Hall, D-N.Y., who represents the 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House:

For decades, America's approach to energy policy has been rooted in complacency. The federal government, bullied by eco-extremists, has overregulated and taxed energy consumption and strangled the supply of oil and electricity. Now, the American people have to foot the bill for the resulting high prices. Rep. John Hall recently published in this paper his policy for decreasing energy prices. In his own words, here are Hall's "solutions":

"I co-sponsored a law to bring about the first fuel economy increase in 32 years, and supported increased production of cellulosic biofuels. I pushed for sweeping new tax incentives for renewable fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, and advocated for bills that go after price-gouging and market speculation at home and abroad."

Hall's theories about speculators and oil barons will not ease the pain at the pump or decrease the cost of heating and powering our homes. His call for regulation and litigation will exacerbate the problem. In short, Hall's proposals won't increase supply to meet increasing global demand, and therefore they stand no chance of lowering prices.

Hall refuses to even consider some very viable sources of domestic energy such as nuclear power and oil deposits offshore and in the Arctic. And when questioned by the Times Herald Record about reducing the gas tax, the paper reported that Hall believes "gas taxes are a must." The belief that government can't afford to lose gas tax revenue ignores the fact that more and more in the middle class can't afford to drive to work in part because New Yorkers pay more than 50 cents per gallon to the tax man.

Voters have had enough. To focus on achieving energy security, my campaign for Congress has already gathered more than the 3,500 required signatures for an independent ballot line called Energy Security Now!, which will give voters an opportunity to make the 2008 congressional election in the 19th District a much-needed referendum on energy policy. Energy Security Now! is committed to energy independence and reducing energy prices in the short- and long-term.

The long-term solutions to our energy needs require a prosperous economy, and American prosperity requires affordable gas and electricity. Thus, the bridge to widespread use of renewable energies is an increased supply of nonrenewable fuels to lower prices so we can afford to invest in research and development. To lower oil prices, we must increase supply. America must drill more, refine more and regulate less while encouraging innovation.

The most immediate way to lower gas prices is to abolish gas taxes. Such a measure would save the average person more than $7 in regressive taxation every time they fill up their gas tank. Because of this, and because of the overwhelming importance of gasoline to our economy, the federal gas tax should be abolished, and local and state governments should not receive federal highway dollars until their gas taxes are eliminated.

The well-worn notion that lowering or eliminating taxes on gasoline won't help consumers is simply false. Consider that our neighbors in New Jersey pay less per gallon of gas largely because the Garden State's gas tax is half what the Empire State levies. To make up for the lost revenue, Congress should end its shameful earmark abuses, exercise greater oversight of the budgets of federal agencies and end ethanol subsidies that have had the unintended effect of forcing gas prices higher. Moreover, the economic growth inspired by the tax cut will replace lost revenue.

Further, the nation must expand its capacity to generate nuclear energy. Nuclear power offers working families clean, affordable energy. Simultaneously, we must invest in alternative energy. Wind, solar and other renewables are the alternatives that will power America in the future. Finally, all levels of government have a responsibility to aggressively enforce laws that protect consumers from criminal wrongdoing that make energy costs even higher. Likewise, federal, state and local governments must find ways to encourage energy conservation.

This is a pivotal moment for our country and its energy future, and we must act comprehensively, decisively and boldly and in a manner that puts America's interests first.

The writer, a veteran of the Iraq war, is a Republican from Peekskill who has filed petitions on the Republican and Conservative lines to challenge Hall.