AaronSchock

Energy Independence

I share the concerns of many about the energy challenges we face as a country.  Ever-increasing energy costs are making it more difficult for families to make ends meet, harder for U.S. businesses to stay competitive and making every single item that U.S. consumers purchase more expensive.  However, there is no silver bullet or quick fix to reducing the cost of energy.

That does not mean that Congress should abrogate its responsibility.  Our country needs Congress to develop and enact a comprehensive energy plan that involves tapping into our domestic energy reserves, increasing nuclear energy usage, encouraging refinery construction, research and development into new energy sources, using more renewable fuels and ensuring that we use energy efficiently.

The bottom line is we need an all-of-the-above solution to our energy crisis.  I am a cosponsor of the American Energy Act, legislation that offers more affordable energy, more domestic jobs, and a cleaner environment. 

The American Energy Act is centered on domestic production of our natural resources, and a renewed commitment to safe and emissions-free nuclear energy.  According to the Department of Energy, the safest and most efficient way for utility companies to control carbon emissions is to increase their supply of nuclear energy.  The legislation introduced today establishes a national goal of licensing 100 new nuclear reactors over the next twenty years by streamlining a burdensome regulatory process and ensuring the recycling and safe storage of spent nuclear fuel.  The bill also increases domestic supply by lifting restrictions on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale in the Mountain West.  Revenues generated through domestic production will support innovation in renewable and alternative energy sources, like wind and solar technologies.