BOND PUMPS GAS, TAKES JABS AT GORE

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Surrounded by about 20 supporters, U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond pumped gasoline Thursday afternoon at Rhodes 101 truck stop and decried the Clinton-Gore energy policy.

Two GOP supporters held up signs stating "Al Gore endorses $3 per gallon gas." Bond said Gore wants higher gas taxes.

With gasoline at around $1.47 a gallon, Bond said fuel prices already are halfway to $3 a gallon.

"He ought to be halfway happy," Bond said of the Democratic presidential candidate.

"Al Gore has tried to tax us into higher energy prices," Bond said. Since 1993, U.S. oil production is down 17 percent, but consumption is up 14 percent.

Bond said the Environmental Protection Agency has shut down oil refineries and banned oil exploration on some of the nation's land.

Such policies have led to higher fuel prices at the pump, the senator said.

"When you cut down on supply, demand is going to drive the price up."

Bond filled up Jackson, Mo., area farmer Roger Schwab's pickup truck, pumping in 18 gallons. The charge was $26.54. Bond said the cost of filling up a pickup truck could climb to $54 if gas prices surge to $3 a gallon.