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ROSS TWP. — He touched on several major national issues — the economy, immigration, the war in Iraq — but it was when U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot mentioned gas prices that local residents' heads began to nod.

Chabot, whose congressional district includes much of Cincinnati and all of Morgan, Reily, Ross and Hanover townships in Butler County, spoke to roughly 50 residents at Ross High School Monday night, June 2.

Chabot called for the government to open oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, and natural gas drilling in the ocean on America's continental shelf. He said he's voted to open the ANWR to oil drilling 11 times in 14 years, and been defeated every time.

"The number one reason (gas prices are so high) is we are too reliant upon foreign sources of energy," Chabot said.

He also called for relaxed restrictions on oil refineries and nuclear power plants.

After explaining he voted against Iraq War funding and a new G.I. Bill because House Democrats coupled it with a withdrawal from Iraq and "a $56 billion tax increase on small business," Chabot opened the floor to questions.

Talk went straight back to energy.

The first comment came from Ross Twp. resident Donna Topicz, who called a plan requiring companies to cap greenhouse gas emissions or buy them from another company "an economy killer."

Chabot agreed, saying cap and trade has not been studied enough. "Much of this, I think, is being rushed forward," he said.

Marla Goodwin complained that lawmakers aren't doing enough about energy prices. "As a country, we know what needs to be done but can't get it done," she said. "Is there anything we can do?"

Chabot's advice: Keep the pressure on. "When they say contact your congressman, that may really be the best thing you can do," he said.

But it's too late for Goodwin. She's selling her Ross Twp. home to move to Amelia because she can't afford her commute to work.

"I have to leave the community I love and my neighbors to move to the other side of town," she said.

And Chabot himself said he may have little luck answering these demands. The cap and trade proposal is supported by all three presidential candidates and Senate Democrats have vowed to block any legislation they say could damage natural areas.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.

Josh Sweigart blogs at journal-news.com

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