Today, our nation is entirely too dependent on foreign countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq to supply our domestic oil needs. In 1970, the U.S. reached its peak for domestic oil production, producing 11 million barrels a day. Last year, the U.S. only produced 5 million barrels of oil per day, yet we were consuming oil at a rate of nearly 20 million barrels per day!

Depending on foreign countries to supply the majority of our energy needs jeopardizes our national security, and as we are experiencing with high gas prices today, stifles our overall economy. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 will effectively reduce our dependence on foreign countries for our oil needs by offering incentives that encourage American refineries to produce more gasoline and oil by-products. This bill also directs the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be filled to its maximum capacity of one billion barrels. 

Oil is not a renewable fuel, and at the increasing rate our world is consuming oil, it won’t be long until our oil reserves are dry. That is why it is imperative that we start reducing our rate of oil consumption today by providing incentives that encourage businesses and consumers to use renewable, alternative energy sources. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 does just that by promoting the usage of clean coal technology and renewable energies such as biomass, wind, solar and hydroelectricity. The bill also encourages the usage of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, and authorizes $200 million for a program that will provide grants to state and local governments to acquire alternative-fueled vehicles. 

The bottom line is, we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and develop a long-term energy policy that increases our energy independence. While the Energy Policy Act of 2005 isn’t perfect, it goes along way toward promoting sensible energy measures – measures that are critical to the future of our country and our world. As a Member of the  House Energy and Commerce Committee, I was able to play a major role in framing this important legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to develop energy policies that address the changing and ever-growing demands of our domestic energy needs.

“By placing a poster outside of my Washington office that calls attention to our growing national debt, I am hopeful these staggering figures will attract the attention of  my colleagues and those visiting Capitol Hill, and will cause them to take action,” said Ross. “The greater our country goes into debt, the fewer opportunities we’ll have to cut taxes for working families and fund programs important to our children and seniors.  This is a tragic gift to pass down to our children and grandchildren, and I want the hundreds of people who walk by my office on a daily basis to understand the urgency of this problem.” 

Several other members of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition joined Ross in displaying debt posters in front of their offices.  By next week, more than two dozen Coalition members are expected to participate. 

Earlier this year, the Blue Dogs released a 12-Step Reform Plan to get America’s fiscal house in order.
 

1)      Require a balanced Budget

2)      Don’t let Congress buy on credit – Restore PAYGO rules

3)      Put a lid on spending

4)      Require federal agencies to put their fiscal houses in order

5)      Make Congress tell taxpayers how much they’re spending

6)      Set aside a rainy-day fund

7)      Don’t hide votes to raise the debt limit

8)      Justify spending for pet projects

9)      Ensure that Congress reads the bills it’s voting on by ensuring members have three days to read a bill before being required to vote on it

10)  Require honest cost estimates for every bill that Congress votes on

11)  Make sure new bills fit the budget

12)  Make Congress do a better job keeping tabs on government programs

“The Blue Dog "12-point Budget Plan" sets forth sensible objectives such as supporting a constitutional amendment that would require a balanced budget every year, establishing "paygo" standards -- meaning any new spending must be paid for by cuts in other programs or by new revenues -- and justifying spending for pet projects,” said Ross. “Our budget plan has received mounds of praise from many non-partisan watchdog groups across the country, and I can only hope this publicity will eventually have an impact on the way the majority party chooses to address our nation's budget needs. 

“Not only am I a fiscally-conservative Member of Congress, but I’m also a small business owner and a father who is personally concerned about the impact our mounting debt will have on the future of our nation; I don’t want my children to bear the burden of our irresponsible decisions today. I am not only committed to reducing our debt, but am actively engaged on the policies surrounding this issue. We absolutely must restore fiscal discipline and common sense to our nation’s government and its budget.”

“Friday is Earth Day – a day started in 1970 by 20 million Americans who had finally had enough of living in smoggy cities, drinking unclean water, and breathing polluted air.  

“As we celebrate Earth Day’s 35th Anniversary this year, let us honor the attention and awareness Earth Day’s founders have brought to the forefront of America’s agenda by each doing our own part to protect and support our surroundings. If you don’t recycle, start today. Recycling materials like glass, metal, plastics and paper, helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and saves energy. These products can also be reduced to raw materials, which can easily be reused again rather than taking up space in a landfill.  

“Consider planting a tree, which takes little time and contributes tremendously to our natural state. Have your heating and cooling equipment serviced annually and remember to replace air filters regularly. Not only will doing this contribute to our overall air quality, but it will also improve the health of you and your family. 

“It’s the little things each of us do on a daily basis that truly make a difference in the overall quality of our environment. On this Earth Day, let us all do our part to protect our precious planet for generations to come.”