Keeping
Fuel Prices Affordable:
Senator Conrad is concerned about the impact of high fuel prices on
North Dakota families. He has consistently supported releasing oil from
the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when oil prices get too high. In 2000,
Senator Conrad introduced the Domestic Energy Security Improvement Act.
This legislation keeps energy prices lower through incentives to increase
domestic oil production, promote greater use of renewable energy such
as bio-fuels, and improve energy efficiency. Senator Conrad also supports
pressuring OPEC to increase oil production to keep prices affordable
for all U.S. consumers.
Promoting
Clean Coal Technology
The
earth underneath North Dakota contains enough lignite coal to generate
electricity for more than 800 years. North Dakota's lignite coal
industry has created some of the best-paying jobs in North Dakota, raising
the quality of life in our home state. Senator Conrad is a champion
of clean coal technology, which improves power plant efficiency, reduces
emissions, and preserves North Dakota's pristine air quality.
As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Conrad has developed
tax incentives for the research and development of clean coal technology.
Increasing
Bio-fuels Production
Bio-fuels carry tremendous potential to reduce our nation's dependence
on foreign oil. These renewable fuels also offer tremendous economic
potential for North Dakota, which is home to many fuel-producing crops,
including canola, corn, and soybeans. Senator Conrad has long fought
for legislation requiring greater use of bio-fuels, such as ethanol
and bio-diesel. He has backed legislation to double the nation's
use of bio-fuels by 2012. For example, he succeeded in keeping ethanol
and bio-diesel tax credits in the 2004 JOBS Act.
Greater
Use of Wind Power:
North Dakota is ranked number one in the nation in potential wind-power production. Developing North Dakota's extraordinary potential for wind energy is one of Senator Conrad's most important energy policy goals. From the start of his Senate career, Senator Conrad has been a leader in passing the wind energy production tax credit, and creating opportunities for farmers and ranchers to develop wind energy. This tax credit is crucial for the wind energy industry to compete with other energy sources. In 2002 and 2005, Senator Conrad introduced legislation to extend the production tax credit for five years.
Ensuring
Affordable and Reliable Electricity for North Dakota:
Improving our nation's power grid will mean that all Americans
have access to affordable and reliable electricity. Improving the transmission
grid would give North Dakota the ability to export electricity generated
from resources like wind and coal to distant markets. Senator Conrad
has supported energy legislation designed to spur new investments in
electric transmission lines.
Powering
Rural North Dakota:
Senator
Conrad has taken action to make sure that rural electric consumers continue
to receive cheap, reliable power. In 2002, Senator Conrad oversaw Senate
passage of a provision allowing co-ops to use tax credits that help
pay the costs of developing renewable energy sources. In 2004, Senator
Conrad succeeded in writing a provision in the JOBS Act that would allow
rural electric co-ops to diversify their assets – strengthening
their finances – without losing their non-profit and tax-exempt
status. He also protected many North Dakotans from dramatic electricity
price increases by preventing unfair changes to Power Marketing Administrations.
Conservation
and Energy Efficiency:
We need a national energy policy that balances energy production with
increased conservation, efficiency, and development of alternative energy
sources. Senator Conrad has consistently supported tax incentives to
reward energy efficiency. Greater efficiency for our nation's
power plants, automobiles, and appliances saves money for all Americans
in the long run. Greater efficiency also conserves our natural resources
for future generations and makes America less dependent on foreign countries
to meet our energy needs.
