Issue Position: Energy/INEEL - Energy Policy

Issue Position

Our nation is currently facing one of the most significant energy challenges in history. Today, America is not producing enough energy to provide for our growing economy. Even more, by the year 2020, our energy demand is projected to increase another thirty percent. In addition, our high reliance on fossil fuels from foreign nations, some of which are hostile to the interests of the United States, places our national security at risk. Even though prices of certain forms of energy have moderated recently, experts forecast future spikes -- perhaps this winter -- unless action is taken to increase energy supplies.

To address our Nation's need for a sound energy policy, on August 2, I was pleased to join 239 of my House colleagues who voted in favor of H.R. 4, the Securing America's Future energy Act of 2001, when it was considered on the House floor. H.R. 4 contains a wide variety of tax incentives, fuel efficiency measures, conservation and other production initiatives, including oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), to ensure sufficient supplies of energy for the long term.

If we fail to develop an adequate plan to meet our Nation's energy needs, California provides a vision of the future: homeowners, farmers and businesses facing soaring electricity prices, rolling blackouts, financial turmoil and recession. Our Nation's energy needs cannot be resolved with sound bites about efficiency that are not economically achievable. Energy self-sufficiency can be achieved by a combination of: conservation, efficiency, alternative energy, and a healthy dose of newly produced energy

Source