July 02, 2013
Our Founding Fathers severed ties from an oppressive British government on July 4, 1776, by declaring independence. Today, we typically celebrate July 4th with elaborate fireworks displays, backyard barbecues and red, white and blue parades. But Independence Day is so much more than that.
Independence has a special place in the American lexicon — a word we revere because Americans are defined by a uniting idea, not a common ethnicity or religion. The struggle for independence has been continuous throughout the 237 years since our original fight — and remains that way today.
The natural resources with which our nation is blessed played a pivotal role in transforming America into the prosperous shining city on a hill where independence can be shared by all. Energy is essential to independence as it is the fuel of prosperity.
Yet, the United States still remains under the rule of foreign energy due to a lack of fully leveraging all of the energy resources available to us. However, today we are uniquely positioned to grasp our energy independency.
The National Intelligence Council says that "in a tectonic shift, energy independence is not unrealistic for the U.S. in as short as period as 10-20 years." By applying American ingenuity and enthusiasm to this opportunity, we could be North American energy independent within the next decade.
Energy independence is within our grasp and will be achieved by adopting an all-of-the-above energy plan. By combining the use of natural gas, oil, clean coal, nuclear power and sustainable energy as part of a diverse energy portfolio, America can position itself as an international leader in energy innovation, in economic power, and in the freedom of our people and our businesses to prosper.
We are already well on our way to becoming energy independent because energy production in the United States is booming. Much of this growth is stemming from new and innovative ways to extract oil and gas from hard-to-reach deposits in North America. By harnessing our resources through environmentally safe, yet efficient means, it is likely that the United States will swiftly become the top oil manufacturer in the world, overtaking the top spot from Saudi Arabia — a profound shift in energy rule.
Responsibly using all our resources is critical to ensuring our nation can continue to grow and that freedom is set on our terms — not through demands of tyrannies or dictatorships elsewhere in the world. In doing so, we are able to increase our nation's security.
A safer America will not be the only benefit, as increased energy production will allow our economy to prosper. Energy independence will increase U.S. economic activity by more than 2 percent and add 3 million jobs by 2030. That economic growth will inevitably create hundreds of thousands of good-paying, family-supporting jobs for our nation — many right here in Pennsylvania.
The economic growth and job creation resulting from a strong American energy plan will change and better the American lifestyle — providing reliable, stable and cost-effective sources of energy to power our day-to-day lives. It will be easier and more affordable to heat and cool our homes, run our cars and power our businesses.
To reap the benefits of energy independency, we must start pursuing a course of action. That is exactly why I will continue to support the Keystone XL Pipeline, responsible drilling on land and offshore, responsible development of shale gas and sound investments in renewable energy. I call on the president and all lawmakers to remove unnecessarily burdensome restrictions on the energy sector, pass more pro-energy legislation like the House did last week, and find ways to work with energy producers, not against them.
Just as our forefathers had the vision to start a foundation for independence for their families and their new nation, we too now have the opportunity to secure freedom and prosperity today by transforming our energy economy for the second American century.
U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick represents Pennsylvania's 8th District, which includes Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.
