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Energy
Americans are demanding Congress take a comprehensive energy approach that creates jobs here at home, leads us toward energy security through environmentally sound domestic production of energy resources, and develops long-term clean alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, hydropower and nuclear power.
Rising Gas Prices
During these harsh economic times, Americans have been forced to cope with 9 percent unemployment nationwide, families are trimming their household budgets and over the past several months Illinoisans have been faced with the steady increase in gas prices. In fact, Illinois has among the highest prices at the pump in the nation. In most areas across the Eleventh District, gas prices are well-over $4 a gallon.
There are a number of factors that influence the fluctuation of gas prices. As with any consumer good, when supply is put in jeopardy or demand increases, the price of gasoline will fluctuate. Because the cost of crude oil determines 65 percent to 70 percent of the cost of one gallon of gasoline, as oil prices and oil supply fluctuate, so will gas prices. Furthermore, the political instability and turmoil in oil-producing countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Libya create uncertainty over the oil supply and contribute to gas price spikes. Since lifting the moratorium, the Obama Administration has been slow to issue new deepwater permits, thereby reducing and restricting access to our domestic oil supply. The Energy Information Administration predicts that Gulf oil production will decline by 240,000 barrels per day – a 13 percent projected shortfall from the previous year. We need to expand exploration and development of domestic fossil fuels both offshore and throughout the continent, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
By increasing production of domestic oil and the vast natural gas reserves present in the United States, we begin the process of relieving the burden of rising oil prices on American consumers and businesses.
Expanding Nuclear Energy
I support the expansion of nuclear power in the United States, as it is a clean and efficient means of generating vast amounts of electricity. Nuclear power is already a major industry in Illinois’ Eleventh Congressional District, which has more nuclear generating stations than any other congressional district in the country and employs more than 2,500 people through the Illinois Valley.
Although nuclear power plants in the Eleventh District have safely controlled fuel for over forty years, the spent fuel was not meant for long-term usage. Nuclear energy will flourish if we increase the number of nuclear plants, implement a national nuclear waste storage plan, and advance nuclear recycling efforts.
National Energy Policy
I am a proud co-sponsor of Congressman Devin Nunes’ “Do It All” energy bill, Roadmap for America’s Energy Future, which he introduced on March 3, 2011. This legislation, H.R. 909, will expand domestic fossil fuel production, develop more nuclear power, and expand renewable electricity. Energy independence is vital to our economic growth and the future of our nation.
The 11th District is home to three nuclear power plants, hydropower plants, ethanol and biodiesel plants, and an oil refinery. The district embodies the all-of-the-above approach to energy that I support and highlights the need for a national energy policy – something our country has lacked for decades.
My colleagues and I on the Energy and Commerce Committee are working to more aggressively explore our country's vast energy resources, including wind, nuclear, coal, off-shore oil, natural gas, and oil shale. These efforts will not only bring new jobs today, but save dollars and strengthen our national security for tomorrow.
Be sure to check out more videos below about my work on the Energy and Commerce Committee:
Rep. Kinzinger: We Must Lift De Facto Drilling Moratorium
Rep. Kinzinger expresses concern over the FCC operating against the will of the people's House
Kinzinger Speaks in Support of Resolution of Disapproval of the FCC Net Neutrality Regulations
