Lott: U.S. should revamp energy policy

By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 28, 2003
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott said the nation must develop more of its own energy instead of continually relying on foreign oil.
Lott, R-Miss., told reporters on Thursday that energy legislation last made it through the House and Senate but that conference committees couldn't iron out the details in the face of competing interests.
Lott said he's all for conservation, developing various sources of energy, making cars that get good gasoline mileage and urging people to weatherize their homes.
But he said the bottom line is that U.S. dependency on foreign oil puts the nation's economy and security in a potentially disastrous situation.
More than a few Meridian residents have complained that gasoline prices in the city are out of line with what they see in other cities and towns in East Mississippi and West Alabama.
Lott said he kept his eyes on the posted prices while on a recent trip to Mississippi that included stops in the Jackson area, Tupelo and the Gulf Coast.
He said it always amazes him that prices differ from one corner to the next and from town-to-town, but he also was quick to point out that it's private enterprise still mostly run by hometown people.
Lott said he's confident the government will remain vigilant against price gougers.