Lifting the moratorium on offshore oil drilling is the answer to lowering fuel prices, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., said at an energy forum Thursday in Slidell.

Recognizing the fuel crisis currently enveloping the nation, Vitter joined by Don Briggs with the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and Dr. Robert Thomas, professor of environmental education at Loyola University, to discuss the ongoing energy issues in Congress and provided useful tips on becoming more energy efficient with constituents.

Beginning at 2 p.m., nearly 100 people crowded the John Slidell Park gymnasium, where Vitter discussed the importance of increasing fuel supply in order to lower pump prices.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., discussed solutions to high fuel costs at an energy forum held at the John Slidell Park Gymnasium Thursday evening. (Staff Photo by Chad Ruiz)

Briggs, who has 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, agreed with Vitter’s solution, saying the U.S. currently consumes 25 percent of the world’s crude oil. Of the 20 million barrels used by the U.S. every day, only 5 million barrels are produced within the country, while the rest are imported.

“The U.S. is the only country in the world that has 85 percent of its (oil) resources off limits,” Briggs said, adding an estimated 85 billion barrels of oil are concealed within U.S. boundaries.

Members of Congress voted against increased offshore drilling, claiming there are numerous tracks of land leased by oil companies that are not being used. But Vitter said their argument lacks substance because, although oil companies may not have equipment on that particular plot of land, they are accessing the oil beneath it via direction drilling.

Vitter also touched on the failed legislation he’s proposed and supported that would have allowed offshore drilling.

“So far we’ve been unable to get those votes, but the good news is that issue is still on the floor and it has to be addressed,” he said, adding Congress will reconvene after Labor Day and energy talks will resume.

Vitter, supported by Thomas, said contrary to belief, market speculators are not the force driving the fuel prices. He referenced a costly investigation ordered by Congress into speculators’ dealings.

“I think it’s a factor, but not the dominant factor for prices,” Vitter said. “Most of this is driven by worldwide supply and demand, but I support any efforts to police that.”

Vitter said he also voted against using oil from the nation’s strategic oil reserves to relieve the market.

“I feel it should stay there for times of emergency, which unfortunately isn’t difficult to imagine in today’s time,” he said, adding the comparatively small amount of oil in the reserves would provide little relief to the oil market.

Thomas, interim director of the School of Mass Communication at Loyola, explained the demand for oil is the highest it’s ever been thanks to the more than six billion people on the planet.

“A necessary ingredient to adjusting is political courage and leadership,” Thomas said.

He also said individual steps can be taken to reduce energy consumption by shoring up your home with energy-efficient appliances and other devices. Simply replacing the light bulbs in your house or business with compact florescent bulbs would save you and the country a significant amount of energy, he said.

Other solutions to the energy crisis involve planning for the future with alternative fuel sources like hydrogen, biofuels, electricity and cellulosic ethanol, he said.

Solar, wind, water and nuclear power will also need to become more prevalent to reduce energy costs, Thomas said.

This was the third energy forum in a series of six planned meetings.