Issue Position: Energy and Gas Prices

Issue Position

My Agenda:

- End our dependence on foreign oil

- Make America energy independent and turn to alternative energy sources like solar, wind, cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel, hydrogen, and other clean alternatives

- Encourage conservation, such as green buildings

- With appropriate environmental safeguards, allow exploration in Alaska, the Outer Continental Shelf, and the Gulf of Mexico

Gas Prices are Too High

Like many of you, I am tired of paying well over four dollars per gallon to fill up my truck and my wife's car. Gas prices have risen significantly in south-central Michigan in 2008, and a barrel of oil now sells for $140 and could get even more expensive. Some experts are even predicting a gallon of gas could cost $5 dollars later this summer.

This is unacceptable to me, and I am sure it is to you. I am working hard on solutions that will bring down the price of gas.

Break Our Dependence on Foreign Oil

I believe the answer to our current energy situation is simple: we need to break our dependence on foreign oil. America uses about a quarter of the world's oil supply to keep our economy moving, but we only produce about 40 percent of what we use. Our country's reliance on Middle Eastern oil also means we send large amounts of money overseas to countries that generally do not share our interests, putting our national security at risk.

Energy Independence

America needs to become energy independent and turn to alternative energy sources like solar, wind, cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel, hydrogen, and other clean alternatives, and in the short term, increase carbon-free nuclear power and clean-coal technology rather than increase our reliance on Middle East energy. We also need to encourage conservation, such as green buildings, and allow exploration in Alaska, the Outer Continental Shelf, and the Gulf of Mexico.

H-Prize

Last year, I had the opportunity to drive an American built, hydrogen powered fuel-cell vehicle made by General Motors. I believe there is great potential for zero emission cars like the one I drove. To help develop hydrogen technology, I voted for the H-Prize (H.R. 632) last year. This legislation would award competitive cash prizes biennially to advance the research, development demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies and would work through a public-private partnership to award advancements in hydrogen technology. The House passed this innovative measure and I hope the Senate will soon follow.

No More Excuses Energy Act

On June 10, I introduced a discharge petition in the House to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act, legislation to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy, to the House floor for a vote. House rules state that a discharge petition must have 218 signatures (a simple majority) in order to bring a bill to the floor for a vote. The discharge petition is available here.

The No More Excuses Energy Act:

- Encourages new refinery construction by making federal lands available for refinery construction.

- Reduces green house emissions by offering a tax credit for CO2 captured for use in marginal oil wells.

- Boosts alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years.

- Lifts the Congressional Moratoria on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, potentially providing 17 billion barrels of oil.

- Opens a portion of ANWR to responsible drilling, resulting in a million barrels per day of oil produced in America.

- Encourages investment in a much-needed industrial base for building new nuclear power plants.

Outlook For Future

One of my top initiatives in 2008 is to get my colleagues in Congress serious about our future energy needs. I will continue to work for an energy policy that will result in more American energy production and reduced energy costs for American families, farmers and small businesses. Please visit my Gas Price Resource Center to learn how to save money on gas for your family.

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