Energy

Each year, the United States imports billions of barrels of oil from the Middle East and elsewhere in an attempt to meet our growing energy needs.  Unfortunately, American consumers, including residents of Florida’s 15th District, are paying a high price for our energy dependence, as oil and gas prices continue to rise amid an uncertain and volatile energy market. 

As a U.S. Representative, I have made reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil a top priority and have consistently voted to expand domestic oil and gas exploration, as well as advance research into alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biofuels.

I believe that with some common sense legislation and a commitment to research and development, we can effectively meet our energy needs in a safe and responsible manner.

To that end I have worked for years to move forward policies to establish U.S. energy independence, including:

• Enacting comprehensive energy policy reforms that will increase energy supply, enhance conservation, and encourage the development of alternative energy.

• Streamlining the regulatory process for constructing nuclear power plants.

• Streamlining the process for building new refineries and allowing old military bases to be used for refineries.

• Opening up a small part of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil and gas production.  Our efforts to open ANWR have been blocked by then-President Clinton and now a handful of Senate Democrats since 1995.

• Reducing special fuel blends from over 40 down to three to increase efficiency and reduce cost.

• Allowing additional oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, while preserving environmental safeguards and strengthening Florida’s control over a 100-mile buffer along Florida’s shoreline.

• Funding solar energy research and hydrogen energy at the Florida Solar Energy Center and the Florida Institute of Technology.

• Encouraging the development of renewable energy as a Member of the House Renewable Energy Caucus.

Related Documents:

Press Release - Democrats Capitulate on Extending Offshore Drilling Ban 9.24.2008

Press Release - Weldon Denounces Sham Democrat "Energy" Bill 9.15.2008

Article - Democrats Have Two Decade History Blocking American Oil 8.12.2008

Recent Vote - The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 6515, the Drill Responsibly in Leased Lands (DRILL) Act. This bill contains the “use it or lose it” language that does not open up any new lands anywhere to American energy exploration and production 7.18.2008

Article - Energy: What Congress Should be Doing 6.30.2008


More Documents...

Related Files:

GAS CHART 6-19-08.PDF

Energy Document