State Sen. Dina Ditus (D-Las Vegas), who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Henderson), announced her energy plan at a campaign stop in Henderson Monday.

“Nevadans can’t wait any longer for Jon Porter to take action and lower our gas prices,” Titus said in a statement. “My plan will immediately cut gas prices, stimulate offshore drilling to increase our oil supply and look to the future by investing in renewable energy that will pioneer a new economy in Nevada, creating abundant clean energy – and jobs – for generations to come.”

Titus said her plan would draw on the nation’s strategic oil reserve, crack down on speculation in the oil market, and remove tariffs on Brazilian ethanol.

Titus also took on the hot button issue of offshore oil drilling, saying she supported drilling on the outer continental shelf with the condition that oil companies deposit a portion of their profits into funding for renewable energy sources.

Titus, who narrowly lost a campaign for governor in 2006, is taking on Porter in what is widely expected to be one of the most hotly contested House races in the country.

Republicans have rallied around the issue offshore oil drilling, saying it would be a way to reduce pain at the pump. Titus’s support for drilling has been seen as a means of inoculating herself on the issue, but Porter’s side has suggested that his opponent has not been consisted in her support.

"As high gas prices continue to devastate the budgets of hardworking families, Nevadans are realizing that they cannot afford Dina Titus' lack of leadership. Titus has failed to articulate a consistent message on how we will reduce the painful price at the pump,” said Porter spokesman Matt Leffingwell.

“Meanwhile, Congressman Porter continues to demonstrate his 25 years of leadership on energy issues by pursuing a three-step plan that will reduce gasoline prices while making Nevada, and the United States, more energy independent."

Porter is running for a fourth term in a district that spans the Las Vegas area.