Gilmore talks energy independence

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: June 23, 2008

Senate hopeful Jim Gilmore brought his campaign to Lynchburg Monday afternoon.

Gilmore kicked off his campaign two weeks ago, hitting what his campaign called the “three” biggest media markets. That included Richmond, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Monday was Gilmore’s first visit to our end of the state since narrowly winning the GOP Senate nomination at the end of May.

While in the Hill City, the former Republican governor toured Delta Star, Inc. as a part of his “Working Families Tour” and he met with local leaders to discuss wasy to lower soaring energy prices.

Following his meetings, Gilmore told reporters that his plan to lower gas prices includes increased domestic oil production.

“We have to be prepared to drill domestically,“ he said. “Now one thing that I know we have to do, go to Alaska, and have to drill for oil there, and bring in more domestic oil production for the United States.  Mark Warner has said that he does not want to drill in ANWAR, but I think we have to drill in ANWAR.“

Gilmore also favors offshore oil drilling and increased conservation.

Gilmore also told reporters that Southwest and Central Virginia will be crucial to his victory in November. Earlier in the day, Ana Gamonel, Gilmore’s communcations director, told WSLS that the campaign hopes to be in Roanoke the first week in July. It will be his first visit to the Star City since becoming the official Republican nominee.