UPI published the following story about Senator Mitch McConnell's work to pass the Gas Price Reduction Act. Senator McConnell's bill would give states the option of allowing offshore energy exploration. Read the entire UPI article here.

The rising price of oil is pushing public sentiment and the U.S. Congress toward renewed debate on offshore oil and gas exploration Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has introduced a bill to open territorial waters 50 miles offshore to exploration, The Washington Post reported.

Forty-three Republican are listed as co-sponsors and McConnell has begun negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the issue, the Post reported.

On Saturday, U.S. President George Bush voiced support for the plan, saying technological advances had made offshore drilling environmentally safe.

Americans "are saying loud and clear" they favor oil exploration to reduce the price of gasoline, McConnell said.

...The U.S. Geological Survey estimates there are "conventionally recoverable resources" of about 17.8 billion barrels that have yet to be discovered, the Post reported.

From today’s Washington Post:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has introduced an energy bill with 43 Republican co-sponsors that would, among other things, open up the outer continental shelf starting 50 miles from shore for oil and gas exploration. McConnell says 85 percent of the outer continental shelf is currently off limits.

 Although the drilling would be in federal waters, state governments would have to give approval for exploration and production off their shores. McConnell's legislation would give states an incentive to allow drilling by giving them a 37.5 percent share of federal royalties.