Our National Energy Policy: All of the Above

Statement

Our National Energy Policy: All of the Above

I have always been an advocate of a common sense energy policy designed to boost domestic supplies of all sources of energy in an environmentally-safe, affordable, and reliable way.

Simply put, every source of energy - solar, wind, nuclear, clean coal, domestic exploration - should be on the table as we craft America's energy portfolio. Today, we are learning too well the repercussions of putting all of our energy eggs into one basket. Instead, we need to take an "all of the above" route.

In the House of Representatives, H.R. 3089 - the No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007 - would fast-track refinery building, clear roadblocks to oil and gas drilling on the Continental Shelf and open oil fields to development. I am a cosponsor of this legislation and have recently signed a petition calling for it to be brought to the House Floor as soon as possible.

But this is just one step of many we need to take for the United States to truly have the diverse energy portfolio we need.

The Department of the Interior estimates there are 112 billion barrels of recoverable oil beneath U.S. lands and coastal waters. According to the United States Geological Survey, under the coastal plain of ANWR - set aside by Congress and President Jimmy Carter in 1980 for future oil development - is 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil, representing a possible 50 percent increase in total U.S. proven reserves.

Congress should also take steps to cut the red tape currently blocking development of vast deposits of oil shale. Refining oil shale could add 1.8 to 2 trillion barrels of oil, according to the Department of Energy. To put this figure in perspective, the world has used about a trillion barrels of oil since the first oil well was successfully built in Pennsylvania in 1859.

Simply increasing domestic oil development is not enough. Any energy policy moving forward must also include research and development for "alternative energy."

Solar energy, natural gas, biodiesel, hydropower, solar - all of these need to be part of our energy portfolio. Wind energy also has tremendous potential - especially for states like Nebraska. With the limits on available technology, however, wind power alone cannot be considered our source of energy. This is why consistent and manageable sources - such as hydropower - need to be available.

Recently, I took part in a House Committee on Natural Resources subcommittee hearing concerning hydropower and exploring its role as a continued source of clean, renewable energy for the future.

Nebraska has benefited from clean, inexpensive, and renewable hydropower, and we have the potential to produce more. As we encourage more domestic energy production, hydropower offers a viable option for consumers. Not only is hydropower emissions-free, but it also serves as a more consistent means of regulating the flow of electricity for the power grid.

Hydropower projects in Nebraska's Third District serve irrigation, flood control, and recreation activities. Agriculture is at the center of Nebraska's economy and many, many Nebraskans rely on irrigating farmland.

In addition, hydropower's reservoir system provides optimal habitat for many species of fish and wildlife. Because of our multipurpose dams and reservoirs more fishing, hunting, boating and other recreational opportunities are available for all Nebraskans to enjoy.

Demand for fuel and power continues to grow, giving all sources of domestic resources - including off-shore oil fields and ANWR, solar, nuclear, wind and hydropower - an increasingly important role for the future.

For too long, Republicans and Democrats have put up roadblocks to exploration, allowing government rather than the marketplace to set our energy policy.

By making prudent choices, the United States could have energy resources second to none. But first we must be willing to check "all of the above" when listing our sources for energy.

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