Energy is the foundation of everything we do on a daily basis, and plays a direct role in the health of our economy – with impacts locally and globally. In 2005, I led the effort to pass the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which addressed every source of energy from nuclear to biomass. While this legislation contained incentives for conventional and alternative energy, due to Democratic objections, we were unable to include a real supply component. We are still facing that challenge today, and as a result of growing demand and stifled supply - prices are rising dramatically.
 But energy costs for Americans don’t have to remain high. Republicans recently introduced the American Energy Act, which contains real solutions that would lower gas and diesel prices. This bill is based on one simple energy philosophy – “All of the Above.” It will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. (See the links below for more information)
However, this money saving legislation has been blocked by Speaker Pelosi and other Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives. While you suffer under the weight of high gas prices and rising grocery bills, they are playing political games and using parliamentary tricks to keep meaningful energy policy from being voted on or even debated.
The United States of America is a treasure chest of energy resources. We have 2 trillion barrels of shale oil reserves. We have a 300 year supply of coal that we can convert to liquid. We have 100’s of billions of barrels of oil reserves off limits in the Outer Continental Shelf and in Alaska and in the lower 48 states. Only 6% of federal land in the United States is available for lease under current law.
We need to unlock our treasure chest. We need to allow votes to increase American made energy for America’s families, and if we do that we won’t need false remedies like price gouging legislation. With several of my colleagues, I’ve introduced and cosponsored proposals to allow more American energy exploration of conventional sources in Alaska and in the Outer Continental Shelf; alleviate pressure on alternative fuels; expand development of coal-to-liquid technology; and promote nuclear energy by recycling waste.
All of these ideas, which are included in the American Energy Act, would allow working American families the relief they desperately need. Those who oppose American made energy believe on one hand that we are cursed to be “addicted” to foreign sources of the necessary energy that fuels our lives, and on the other hand believe punishing American oil and gas companies will make us less dependent.
As I’ve said before, we are not a helpless nation. We cannot let the suffering continue as higher prices drive American jobs overseas, and depress our economy. We have the energy we need right here. I will continue to demand action from Speaker Pelosi, and keep up the drumbeat for sensible development of American made energy.
To learn more about the energy debate – click on the links below:
• American Energy Act
Includes: Specifics on the bill, interesting energy facts and latest energy news
• Energy Information Agency: How dependent are we on foreign oil?
• Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
• Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less.
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