STAYS IN WASHINGTON ADVOCATING ACTION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY, ALTERNATIVE FUELS, AND MORE DOMESTIC OIL & GAS PRODUCTION

Washington, Aug 5, 2008 - “I held a series of town meetings this summer and heard a demand for action to increase energy production and to lower energy prices,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). “In response, the House Leadership initiated a five-week vacation for members who should be here doing the people’s business. The current energy situation is an economic and national security threat, and we should be here working to help the American people through this energy crunch.”

Stearns joined several of his colleagues today in the U.S. Capitol outlining the need to pass legislation to increase domestic energy production, expand the use of alternative and renewable energy sources, promote conservation and energy efficiency, increase the use of emissions-free nuclear energy, and expand the use of coal using new environmentally-sensitive technology.

Added Stearns, “There is no silver bullet to our energy situation – we need a broad-based policy that entails new deep-ocean drilling beyond 100 miles from the coast; that expands the use of solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources; that utilizes our nation’s 250-year supply of coal; that unleashes American ingenuity to develop new energy sources; and that conserves energy and promotes great efficiency.”