Legislative Update by Congressman Mike Ross

Addressing Our Nation’s Long-Term Energy Needs
 
June 18, 2004
 
This week in Congress, my colleagues and I addressed and voted on a series of energy bills, with the goal of developing a sensible, comprehensive energy policy that will benefit America's working families.

The first measure Congress passed was the Energy Policy Act, which offers incentives that encourage American refineries to produce more gasoline and oil by-products. This measure also requires that U.S. gasoline contain specific volumes of the corn-based additive ethanol. Incorporating more ethanol into gasoline requires us to use less oil, and is better for the environment because it creates cleaner burning fuel.

Congress also passed legislation that will increase the United States' ability to efficiently refine more of its oil by speeding up the construction of new oil refineries and restarting idle oil refineries. And the Renewable Energy Project Siting Improvement Act will simplify the burdensome and complicated review process potential renewable energy sources undergo, thus assisting in the overall production of renewable energy sources. 

The bottom line is, we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and develop a long-term energy policy that increases our energy independence. 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. 

In the short-term we must encourage more domestic exploration. And it is critical that Congress appropriate sufficient resources for the research and development of measures that increase the use of renewable energy, and invest in emerging technologies that will reduce overall energy consumption.

America needs a long-term energy policy that will ultimately reduce the high-cost of gas prices and would sufficiently address America's long-term energy needs. We need a real energy plan that works - America's future depends on it. 


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