Jeff Kropf, a former state legislator from the mid-valley, has launched a new campaign - a publicity campaign in favor of more exploration for oil and other energy sources.

Kropf is the Oregon state director for a group called Americans for Prosperity.

This week it plans a series of hot-air balloon events in four Oregon towns to dramatize its point about the "high cost of hot air."

Kropf, a Republican, formerly represented Oregon House District 36 and then 17, including Lebanon and Sweet Home.

He decided not to seek re-election in 2006. The organization he now represents in Oregon describes itself as a "free-market grassroots group."

It is for policies that would lower gas and energy prices by increasing American supplies and making domestic production less expensive. For more information visit: www.CostofHotAir.org.

"Congress stubbornly refuses to embrace policies that would expand U.S. energy production, and they are cheered on in that inaction by global warming extremists," Kropf said in a statement. "Global warming alarmists are reaching for the wallets of hard-working Americans instead of focusing on positive, market-based solutions to energy challenges."

AFP contends that even as record gas prices and high food costs squeeze household budgets, lawmakers are pushing for higher energy taxes and unnecessary regulations that put U.S. energy producers at a disadvantage against foreign oil producers.

The group supports expanding oil exploration and production of the Arctic coastal plain and the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as tapping into the potential of shale oil in places like Colorado.

AFP is against regulation known as "cap-and-trade," which it says would result in a huge energy tax hike.

"Lawmakers need to start listening to the folks who elected them, not the hot air from climate change extremists," Kropf said.

AFP's 70-foot-tall hot-air balloon will be in Oregon through Wednesday.

The group planned events today in Baker City, Tuesday in Aurora, and Wednesday in Bend and Phoenix.