Issue Position: America's Energy Independence

Issue Position

Americans are paying a high price every time they fill up their car, and since I have been elected, I have voted to do something about it. High energy prices are hurting customers not only at the pump but anywhere we try to buy food or goods. That is why I have continued to support a comprehensive energy plan which utilizes the substantial natural resources we have here in the United States, expands our support for alternative, renewable energy sources, and promotes conservation.

We must start using America's resources to increase supply and bring down the cost of energy while reducing our dependence on foreign countries. New environmentally friendly drilling technology has been developed to get oil out of ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which can satisfy our need to produce more American made energy while protecting our coastal areas and on-shore environments. House Republicans have voted 91% of the time in favor of self-reliance by increasing the production of American-made oil and gas while House Democrats have shockingly voted 86% of the time against such domestic production, making us dependent on unstable nations.

Besides oil and natural gas, we must look at all forms of renewable and clean energy technology to build a strong foundation for our future energy needs. There is not a single answer to the problem; we must look to diversify if we are going to solve our nation's energy crisis. Innovative research and development of bio-mass as well as other proven forms of energy such as nuclear power can help diversify our energy portfolio. In the Second Congressional district, we have great research teams at the University of South Carolina and Center for Hydrogen Research located at the Savannah River Site, who are working on ways to reduce our need for fossil fuels and come up with an effective and clean fuel cell system. We need to continue to push for greater research and tax credits for the use of alternative energy such as hydrogen including solar technology and for promoting conservation through hybrid vehicles and energy efficient buildings. We have seen some great breakthroughs in the last year that have driven down the cost of solar and made it more accessible to the public.

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