Wicker said the increase in drilling in America would have a major impact on the economy.

“It would create jobs here in America,” he said. “This well (the Jack Hosey Well) creates jobs in the Pine Belt Region. ...Therefore, drilling in America is a way to keep our money at home. ... We need to stop sending our jobs and money overseas and lower the price of gasoline here in America.”

Wicker said the Gas Price Reduction Act “addresses coastal drilling and oil shale development, encourages development of alternative energy sources and cracks down on speculators.”

Wicker said the Gas Price Reduction Act addresses four major issues: deep sea exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); Western State Oil Shale exploration; Plug-in electric cars and trucks; and Strengthening U.S. futures markets.

Wicker will face Ronnie Musgrove in the Nov. 4 election to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott.