Battling Jay's

Jay Wolfe is sending a message that all of us can identify with when we head to the pump to fill up with fuel.

The irony that Rockefeller's money comes from Standard Oil, as he is a direct decedent of the founder, should not be lost on any of us. The majority of Congress in the past have voted to block drilling for US oil. That majority has included both Democrats and Republicans. In West Virgina all of those members have been Democrats.

The problem is this should not be a partisan issue. It should be an American issue. Each day we send nearly $2,000,000,000 to foreign nations for oil. Years ago oil drilling was blocked in much of the US coast, in the Rocky Mountains and ANWR. At the time the technology was not there to drill safely, but now it is any many refuse to accept that.

Rockefeller whose vast fortune comes from oil should understand that technology in the oil industry has changed significantly. If our elected officials will not change with the times, then maybe it is time to change our officials?

WV land owners benefit from high energy prices

High energy prices around the world are impacting many people in a negative way. We are reminded each time we fill up our vehicles with $4 plus a gallon gas, but for some there is an up side. Many landowners have valuable energy that the market now wants.

Just a few years ago gas leases were running around $100 per acre, today most are in the $300 to $400 per acre range for the first 3-years with a bump to $1,700 per acre in the fourth year. Once the well starts producing the land owner will typically be able to negotiate between a 1/8th royalty on the low side and a 1/4th on the high side.

Wind farms are also providing a positive economic impact for landowners. Some are paid $5,000 per year per wind generator, while others opt for a $3,000 per unit lease with a percentage profit from the electricity generated.

Even if you are not a land owner you will see a positive impact in the local economy. Each dollar pumped into the area will act as three dollars to the local economy. The facts are people tend to spend extra money they get. After all that was why the Federal Government sent out the economic stimulus checks. They knew most people would spend them pumping money into the economy.

Most of the people receiving royalty and lease checks from the gas and wind companies will do the same thing. They will buy the boat they always wanted, build a garage they always wanted, start a business the didn't have the extra money to risk on, etc. Somebody will have to sell that boat, someone will have to build that garage, somebody will have to work at that new business. All of those people benefit indirectly from the increased wealth in the area.

Rising energy prices can benefit the local economy when you are in an energy producing region and the Potomac Highlands has the ability to be a major playing in the current energy market.

West Virginia Congressional Delegation on Wrong Side of Issue

Some of those Representatives that West Virginia sends to Washington are not listening to the people back home. These are starting to pop on the internet and around the state trying to send a message Rockefeller, Rahall, and Mollohan.
The United States is currently worlds number 1 user of oil and only the worlds 3rd largest producer of oil. Each day the US sends $2 billion overseas to purchase oil while over 600 billion barrels of oil are accessible in the US with current technology. The only thing stopping the drilling in the US is our own US Congress.

The Internet is playing a greater role in WV politics

Russ Weeks candidate for West Virginia Governor spend most of last week touring the Potomac Highlands spreading his message. In case you missed him Russ has a new internet video.

Mineral County Stawberry Fest

I'm going to use the blog today to thank everyone involved with the Strawberry Fest. If I try to list the individual names I will miss somebody and I don't want to leave anyone out.

There was a lot of hard work by a lot of volunteers on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. I want to thank the county for providing the space and all of the county employees that pitched in to help. I want to thank City of Keyser for their help in blocking of the streets and providing much needed help and man power. I want to thank all of the volunteers from all the different organizations that made Strawberry Fest 2008 the largest one ever held.

Thank You