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"We must make a strong commitment to lessening our dependence on foreign oil in ways which provide positive benefits to the environment and encourage investment in new production plants and facilities for an added boost to the rural economy."

˜ Ben Nelson

Related Issues & News

EnergyEnergy

Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson is committed to crafting a comprehensive national energy policy. He understands that any truly lasting plan will include enhancement and diversification of our energy supply; increased conservation and efficiency; and continued research and development.

In 2007, Senator Nelson worked with his colleagues in the senate to draft and pass the Farm Bill, which he played a part in renaming the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, and he worked to pass the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which contained an expanded Renewable Fuels Standard and increased the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for all vehicles. Throughout his efforts on these bills, Senator Nelson emphasized the importance of creating policies focused on strengthening and diversifying the burgeoning domestic renewable fuels industry. Renewable fuels are a win-win-win: good for agriculture producers and rural communities; good for domestic consumers; and good for our national security. He also supported further diversifying our domestic energy supply, while protecting the environment, to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

SMART Energy Act

The SMART Energy Act, drafted and introduced by Senator Nelson in 2009, is a comprehensive energy plan. It will will ensure that we can open new markets for Nebraska-produced energy, support our domestic economy and jobs, and meet the demands of our country by relying on the Middle West, not the Middle East. It grew out of Senator Nelson's work during the summer and fall of 2008 as a member of the so-called Gang of 10-- the bipartisan group of senators that developed an energy plan that eventually attracted another 10 bipartisan Senate backers.

Useful Links

U.S. Department of Energy
Nebraska Energy Office
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources