"All-of-the-Above" Energy Policy Needed

Just over one month ago, citizens throughout our great country celebrated the 232nd anniversary of our nation’s birth on the 4th of July – Independence Day. Yet, as citizens gathered together at family picnics, attended patriotic concerts, and took in dazzling fireworks, skyrocketing energy prices – especially at the gas pump – were greatly undermining America’s economic “independence” and noticeably impacting the daily lives of all Americans. In the first six months of this year, leading up to the 4th and the month since, Congress has failed to adequately respond to this growing economic threat.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not only personally opposed comprehensive energy legislation that includes opening additional areas of the outer-continental shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to environmentally safe oil and natural gas exploration.  In fact, Speaker Pelosi has refused to even schedule a vote on such legislation.  Rather than allowing said vote to occur, Speaker Pelosi adjourned the House of Representatives for five weeks.  The Speaker pushed through the adjournment resolution by a single vote (213-212).  Americans are rightfully outraged by Speaker Pelosi’s stonewalling tactics and Congress’ inaction on an issue of such importance to the economic and national security of our country.

As a nation, we need to promote greater conservation initiatives and the long term development of sustainable alternative and renewable energy supplies.  We must also, however, further develop traditional domestic sources of energy in an environmentally-protective manner. If we want to make a real difference for American consumers in both the short and long terms, such an “all-of-the-above” energy policy is absolutely imperative.

Common Sense Solutions

There are two “common sense” actions that Congress can take right now to have an effect on gas prices. First, we should crack down on price manipulations within the oil futures market. I am a cosponsor of a number of bills which seek to rein in the irresponsible speculation that has played a significant role in the outrageous jump in price at the gas pump.

Second, we must adopt a comprehensive energy policy that allows more energy exploration here at home. While there is a great deal of debate about how long it may take for new domestic oil and natural gas reserves to be fully developed, taking action to allow more energy exploration will have a positive impact on price almost immediately. Such action will affect the aforementioned futures market, which continues to feed off the premise that the supply of oil and natural gas will remain severely restricted.

Tapping Domestic Energy Supplies

I am a cosponsor of the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) and the No More Excuses Energy Act (H.R. 3089). Both of these proposals would lift the moratorium imposed on offshore energy exploration in our own territorial waters. When Hurricane Katrina hit the oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana, there were no major oil spills, demonstrating that it is possible to tap the oil and natural gas reserves found in the outer-continental with minimal risk to the environment.  Estimates by the U.S. Minerals Management Services found that the outer-continental shelf contains as much as 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 86 billion barrels of oil. To put these numbers in perspective, America consumes about 23 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year and imports about 4.5 billion barrels of oil per year.

H.R. 6566 and H.R. 3089 would also allow energy exploration on a small portion (two thousand out of twenty million acres) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), with leasing restrictions to ensure protection of fish and wildlife habitat. This legislation would also ban any export of the recovered oil to other countries. According to the United States Geological Survey, there are about 10.4 billion barrels of oil recoverable from ANWR. Had President Bill Clinton not vetoed legislation to open up ANWR to energy exploration in 1995, this source of domestic energy would already be on-line.

Finally, H.R. 6566 and H.R. 3089 would provide tax incentives for wind power, carbon-capture technologies, nuclear power, and the construction of new domestic oil refineries. No new oil refineries have been built in the United States since 1976.  Today, about 150 refineries operate in the United States, compared with over 300 in 1981.

Unfortunately, H.R. 6566 and H.R. 3089 are both stuck in committee. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not allowed either of these pieces of legislation to be brought before the full House of Representatives for an up-or-down vote. Supporters of this comprehensive approach to our nation’s energy needs, including me, are trying to force consideration of these bills through various means, including the filing of a so-called “discharge petition.” So far, over 150 Members have signed the discharge petition concerning H.R. 3089.  If at least 218 House Members sign the petition, Speaker Pelosi would be forced to give this comprehensive energy legislation a straight up-or-down vote on the House floor.

On an issue of such immediate and significant importance to the economic well-being of all Americans, Speaker Pelosi should allow the House of Representatives to debate the issue and let the voices of the American people be heard via the votes of their elected Representatives.  America needs a comprehensive energy policy that addresses our nation’s short term and long term energy needs - an “all-of-the-above” energy policy that includes accessing our nation’s own oil and natural gas resources. If we are to truly ensure our nation’s economic “independence” for generations to come, such a policy is long overdue. As with all challenges facing our great country, Congress should put sound public policy above partisan politics.  The time for statesmanship and action is now.