U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, stopped at theCayuga-Onondaga BOCES campus in Aurelius Monday to discuss the impact high energy prices are having on central New Yorkers, and to share his thoughts on how the federal government should be reacting.

Arcuri, who is seeking re-election for New York's 24th Congressional District, said he had supported legislation that would lower gas prices by forcing oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of land they already lease on the continental United States instead of sitting on it, by halting the addition of any more oil to the nation's strategic oil reserves until the price of crude oil fell below $50 a barrel and by taking steps to stop excessive speculation that has contributed to the increase of gas at the pump.

His likely Republican opponent, Cooperstown businessman Richard Hanna, said he believed the legislation that Arcuri had supported was too long-term to help residents afford to heat their homes this winter.

"We need to open up more resources," Hanna said. "About 85 percent of the available natural resources are off limits to oil companies, and that's outside of the [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.] This shows a lack of planning by Congress. People knew this was coming but they waited until now to do anything at the expense of the citizens."

For more on the energy plans of both candidates, read Tuesday's edition of The Citizen.