Energy Independence

Our current energy policy is in desperate need of competition. Competition across state lines in the form of deregulation as well as competition in new energy sources must be a clear priority going forward. It is clear that the dependence on foreign oil will need to change and a series of new technologies and existing ones must be utilized. However, the restrictions placed upon the exploration of new domestic sources are tragically outdated and do not accurately reflect the advancements in current technology. Environmental concerns in the form of misplaced policy agendas force the United States to ship billions of dollars overseas to regimes that are at best lukewarm allies.

As if to underscore my point from a few days ago, OPEC has announced they will respond to the global crisis by turning down the spigots and squeezing the global oil supplies. Great. Just what we need. Falling oil prices make the economic crisis less hurtful. Rather than let the wave run and allow lower crude prices to soften the thud at the bottom, they're going to squeeze us all.

Why are we not yet opening up more domestic exploration? Why are we not yet relaxing restrictions to allow more domestic refineries?

The financial crisis isn't over yet, but one thing that many have reported has helped ease the strain from the crisis is the precipitous price drop for a barrel of oil over the past week, which has led to a decent drop in the price of gasoline at the pump.

Great. I'm glad. Keep it coming.

Congressional Republicans must not drop the talk of new domestic oil exploration, including especially Outer Continental Shelf drilling. Sure, the opposition will say, "but it won't bring oil online for 10 years." Well, if we'd drilled 10 years ago we'd have that oil now. But they blocked it.

House Dems appear to be on the verge of agreeing to lift the moratorium on off-shore drilling, but Senate Dems haven't hinted at their action yet, and lifting the ban is only the most recent in a series of hurdles to be cleared before oil from the Outer Continental Shelf enters the markets to relieve the pinch at the pump. House Dems need to keep up the pressure, making the point that this latest concession by House Dems is only a show pony if further action isn't taken. A compromise with the states on sharing royalties from the sale of leases must be hammered out, and the Senate must be brought on board. Also, before the Dems rediscover their obstructionist spines, push to open ANWR...

Hurricane Ike demonstrated even more forcefully the need to drill for oil and natural gas, as well as develop more energy sources, elsewhere in the U.S. We haven't built an oil refinery in the U.S. in 30 years because of regulations. It's time to lift those regulations and allow drilling off the west coast, ANWR, and other places not threatened by hurricanes, and to allow the construction of new, modern refineries.

The IAEA reports that Iran still is in non-compliance with the inspections of their nuclear facilities. The madmen in Iran are in position to disrupt the supply of international oil with any destabilizing actions in the Middle East. This makes the Democrats' continued intransigence on comprehensive domestic energy production reform -- including "all of the above" -- that much more irresponsible. It also reaffirms why Democrats are not trusted on national security -- they would rather allow our sworn enemies to hold our energy security hostage and damage our economy than cross the environmental lobby.

Click here for my letter to the Senate's "Gang of Ten."

It seems to me that merely opening up oil production in the U.S. is only part of the answer. If China and India are continuing to increase their demand for oil, then we're only dealing with half the problem. If conservatism is about opportunity and not entitlement, then what are some conservative ways that we can encourage a reduction in demand from other countries? Are there tax credits or other benefits that we could provide to U.S. companies that are involved in alternative energies in developing countries?

So Congress adjourns for a week without passing anything that would have provided some relief or any changes to our energy policy? The Democrats continue to refuse to address Republican suggestions and hard working Americans suffer. I implore all members to pass something when they get back after July 4th. If Congress adjourns again in August before doing anything to help us out at the pump, you all can be sure my vote in November will reflect my displeasure.

Yes we need to drill in ANWR and off the coast to lower prices in the short term, but we need a more comprehensive, long term strategy to sustain low energy costs. We must look towards domestic renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric; but we also must encourage private investment of nuclear, clean coal, gas to liquid, fuel cells and biodiesel. There is not one silver bullet to our energy crisis, but all these options collectively will make a difference.

Newt Gingrich has a very good idea started with his Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less program. I encourage you to support it. Until we utilize our own oil reserves the U.S. has no hope of reaching energy independence. We may be the only country in the world so throttled by radical environmentalists that we expect other countries to drill for and pump their oil for us. Republicans, this is the time to step forward, raise hell and fight the good fight to get our reserves opened up to drilling and frankly, this is the only way Republicans are going to make a comeback.

One comment - oppose it. Do not try to amend or modify it. Just oppose it.

There are 440 land-based nuclear power reactors today in the world (table of world's reactors). They produce 16% of the world's electricity, or put another way, at capacity world nuclear power generates an impressive 370 gigawatts of electric output. In the world today there are another 232 nuclear power stations either under construction or proposed, which in sum would add another 186 gigawatts to world output.