Energy Independence
As a former member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, I have always been committed to working on sound and comprehensive energy policy that moves our nation towards a more predictable energy future. Energy efficiency and conservation efforts are important tools to address future energy demand, as is the development and commercialization of alternative energy sources such as biofuels, wind, solar, wave, and geothermal energy. However, this country will need to consider every solution to meet our energy challenges.
Latest Developments:
On January 30, 2012, I joined 43 other Senators in introducing a bill to continue construction on the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would take great steps towards improving our energy security as well as create jobs for thousands of American workers.
In November, 2011, I introduced the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act of 2011, legislation that would boost domestic production of vehicles that run on clean natural gas. Read more here.
On May 5, 2011, I introduced a bill that would consolidate the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protecting Agency into a single, new agency called the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). This cost-saving measure would reduce duplicative and wasteful functions and streamline a coordinated approach to a comprehensive energy and environmental policy. Read more about it here.
In December 2010, I helped lead a bipartisan group of Senators in asking the EPA to develop fair and achievable pollution requirements for the country’s brick and clay industries. This is of the utmost importance in North Carolina, which has more brick manufactures than any other state in the nation. Learn more here.
In June 2010, I introduced a comprehensive energy bill, the Next Generation Energy Security Act, to help move us forward in using cleaner, domestic energy. Unlike “cap and trade”, my bill does not increase energy costs on consumers. To learn more about it, follow this link.