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Energy

Energy becomes a more important topic each and every day, but, it goes beyond the price you pay for gas at the pump.  It also has an impact on our national security.  

The economic security and stability of the United States is threatened by our increasing dependence on foreign oil, especially from countries with unstable governments.  We can’t continue to rely on countries such as Iran or Venezuela to supply our energy needs.  Any disruption in the U.S. energy supply could have devastating impacts on the economy of the United States

It's critical that we begin to address this problem now.  Unfortunately it seems that the only time that we are willing to discuss this issue as a nation is when it begins to hit us at the gas pumps.  This is a long-term problem that's going to require a long-term solution.

First, I believe we need to explore alternative fuel options.  Whether it's ethanol for our cars or biodiesel for our trucks, we need options.  But, we need to ensure that these options are readily available and that they meet the needs of consumers.  

Second, domestic energy production needs to be increased.  The United States currently has oil deposits that are not being utilized, and that doesn't make any sense.  One such site, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), has enough oil that it could power Alabama for 103 years according to the government.  There are also deposits off of the U.S. coast that are just sitting there.  I believe there is a way that we can utilize these deposits without and drastic disruption of our environment.

Finally, there's a role for conservation in the process as well.  America needs to take a hard look at how much oil we consume.  If consumption continues at its current rate, we can expect to see problems for years to come. 

These are just a few pieces of our energy puzzle though.  We can tap into these energy resources in a clean, environmentally sensitive way.  With the adoption of a comprehensive national strategy, we have the ability to control our own energy future. But to do so, we must act today.

Important Legislation

H.R. 3683, Gas Tax Relief Act of 2005:
  This legislation that was introduced in 2005 would have eased some of the financial burden at the pump, caused by current market prices, by suspending the 18.4 cent federal excise tax on gasoline for 30 days.  I was an original co-sponsor of this legislation.  While it was introduced, the House failed to take action on it.

At the time of its introduction, gas prices had hit then record highs following Hurricane Katrina adding to an already volatile pricing situation.  At the time I felt that drastic measures were necessary to lower gas prices and this bill would have accomplished that goal temporarily.  I continue to believe that we need to examine ways to keep gas prices affordable for families.  Gas is a necessity for most people, not a luxury, so I will continue to seek ways to make gas more available and affordable for consumers.

H.R. 5429, the American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act:  This bill would open 2,000 acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to energy production while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States. On May 25, 2006 it passed the House of Representatives with my support by a vote of 225-201.

Bold initiatives are needed to help ensure America’s long-term energy independence. We can’t continue to rely on countries such as Iran or Venezuela to supply our energy needs.  This bill would have been part of that process.  Using government estimates, oil from ANWR would power Alabama for 103 years.

ANWR represents only one piece of our energy puzzle. With the adoption of a comprehensive national strategy, we have the ability to control our own energy future. But to do so, we must act sooner rather than later.

H.R. 5254, the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act:  One of the reasons for higher gas prices is that no new refineries have been built in the U.S. in the past 30 years. And, despite the fact that prices for general consumer goods in the U.S. have risen only nominally since 2003, gas prices have risen two and a half times during that same period.

The House passed H.R. 3893, the GAS Act of 2005, on October 7, 2005 and H.R. 5254, the Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act, on June 7, 2006. Both bills address the dearth of refinery construction by simplifying the regulatory regime governing these projects. Despite the urgency of these projects, the Senate failed to act on either bill during the 109th Congress.

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