ENERGY
Today the United States imports nearly 60% of its oil and this number is expected to increase to 75% by 2010. Most of this oil comes from the Middle East and politically unstable nations such as Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela. I believe it is a matter of national security to have the United States be self-sufficient when it comes to our energy needs. President Bush signed The Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law on August 8, 2005. This legislation was positive first step towards a comprehensive, long-term national energy policy.
The Energy Policy Act will help contain rising energy prices. The legislation provides incentives for traditional energy sources such as oil and natural gas, but also contains a number of conservation and energy efficiency measures. Specifically, I believe that the expansion of the EnergyStar program and hybrid and alternative fueled vehicle provisions play an important role in a comprehensive national energy policy.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, which had primary jurisdiction over H.R. 6, I was pleased with bipartisan support that the bill received during committee consideration. I also believe that energy exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) is an important component of comprehensive energy legislation. Protecting our wilderness and wildlife is very important, but I believe we must also recognize the importance of developing a balance between the needs of the community and those of the environment. If it takes drilling in Alaska to ensure that we don’t have to import oil from the Middle East, then I think we should drill in Alaska or any other federal lands where geologic data supports exploration. We must also simultaneously develop alternative energy sources, like wind and hydrogen fuel cells, while conserving our natural resources.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which struck the Gulf Coast at the end of August and beginning of September, underscored the vulnerability of our energy infrastructure to supply shocks. In response, the House of Representatives passed The GAS Act on October 7, 2005 by a vote of 212-210. The GAS Act seeks to streamline - not eliminate - the permitting process for new refineries, reduces the number of “boutique fuels” around the country from 17 to 6, promotes conservation through carpooling and a fuel-efficiency awareness campaign, and, for the first time, bans price gouging at the federal level.
We must also look to renewable fuels as well as alternative energy sources to fuel our future. The world’s first renewable-energy powered biodiesel facility is located in the 26th District in the City of Denton Landfill. The facility has an initial production capacity of three million gallons of pure biodiesel per year and is powered by renewable biogas extracted from the adjacent City of Denton Landfill. This is a powerful example of the role that local governments can play in cleaning up our environment.
Conservation is an often-overlooked area where each person can do his or her part to save energy. It can be as easy as making sure that car tires are properly inflated, installing energy-efficient light bulbs at home or at work, or buying EnergyStar products. Conservation not only saves energy, but also saves money.
For related websites, please visit the following links:
U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home
Home Energy Saver
Natural Disasters Preparedness Information
Clean Air – Real Time information
Scientific Information on Oceans and Oceanography
Energy Saving Tips
Waste Prevention and Recycling
Environment, Energy and Agriculture at firstgov.gov
Gas Prices in Your Area
