Hutchison: Obama contributes to gas prices

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said Saturday President Obama's policies have contributed to higher gasoline prices.

Delivering the weekly Republican media address, Hutchison said, "President Obama's policy has resulted in an unprecedented slowdown in new exploration and production of oil and gas. Offshore drilling permits are being issued at less than half the rate of the previous administration."

Hutchison also called for approval of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, which would carry crude oil from Canada's oil sands to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The senator said the pipeline would increase oil supply and generate jobs.

"That pipeline would assure the U.S. of 830,000 barrels of oil daily -- not from halfway around the world, but from our friend to the north, Canada," Hutchison said.

"After four years of environmental reviews and regulatory approvals, the Obama administration is still stalling. If we wait, the Canadians have indicated they can ship their oil to China, and a huge opportunity will have been lost."

Most polls show the pipeline has broad public support but some environmentalists oppose it, The Hill reported.