Government Reform Committee Report: "Securing America's Energy Future"

Government Reform Committee Report: 'Securing America's Energy Future'

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy and Resources, today released a majority staff report entitled "Securing America's Energy Future." The Report is the result of a year-long series of hearings examining the energy crisis facing the nation. The report concludes that the current energy crisis is an economic and national security threat of such magnitude that governmental action is necessary to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.

In releasing the report, Chairman Davis said, "This report is part of the Committee's ongoing oversight responsibility, and it is important that the Subcommittee's work and findings be available to the public as well as policymakers in Congress and the Executive Branch. The ongoing energy debate is one of the most important in a decade. This report and its conclusions serve as our contribution to that dialogue."

Issa, whose subcommittee conducted the series of hearings, said, "It is imperative that the country not only wean itself from imported oil but that we also take steps to avoid an unnecessary reliance on natural gas for electricity generation. I am convinced that as part of our energy solution we should strive to have base load electricity generated from nuclear power as is done in France, where 78 percent of electricity comes from nuclear. By utilizing other sources of energy to generate electricity we can reduce demand for importing natural gas and keep it affordable for its most essential uses."

Issa stressed that improving fuel economy is important to U.S. competitiveness in addition to helping break the chains of oil dependency. "CAFE standards must be addressed. It is the federal government's responsibly to set standards on many products in the marketplace. Had we done so years ago, American car makers would not have the all difficulties they do today. By failing to recognize growing demands for oil and acting to upgrade the standards, the government has contributed to American automobile manufacturers losing an edge to foreign competition."

http://reform.house.gov/GovReform/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=43405