Walberg Weekly Wrap-Up: "Situation in Georgia Highlights Need for New Energy Plan"

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WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP: "Situation in Georgia Highlights Need For New Energy Plan"

If you have been following the news this week, you are aware of the situation in the nation of Georgia, located just south of Russia and not far from Iran. Russia launched air, sea and land attacks in Georgia, and
while a cease-fire appears to have been reached, tension lingers in this
region. America will need to watch Russia closely in the weeks and months ahead.

As we in America hope and pray for a peaceful and permanent resolution to the dispute between Georgia and Russia, it is important to note a side element in this unfortunate conflict. Within Georgia's borders is an important pipeline that provides oil to the West, and allows Western countries to obtain such resources without paying Russia or Iran. News reports have described this pipeline as "the only pipeline bringing Caspian Sea oil to the West not controlled by Moscow or Iran."

During the conflict of the past week, Georgia's government reported that Russian fighter jets targeted this pipeline and attempted to damage it. Russia
obviously wanted to severely cripple Georgia's economy, destabilize a
democratic country and increase its own standing in the world oil market. If
such a catastrophic event was ever to occur, Americans would only pay more at the pump for gas. Decreased world supply would lead to increased prices and further instability.

The Georgia situation highlights the perilous condition our country is in. America's reliance on foreign oil makes our country dependent on people like Vladimir Putin, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez for energy resources, which weakens America's national security. The situation in Georgia is just another example of this dependence. We cannot leave America's energy needs in the hands of dictators and thugs in other parts of the world.

We need to change course and begin to again meet our own energy needs. 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. America only produces about 40 percent of what we use.

Our country needs a new comprehensive, "all of the above" energy plan that includes more oil exploration, more alternatives and more conservation. Right now, the person standing in the way of such a policy is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Currently, the Speaker is traveling across the country promoting a book entitled "Know Your Power," and I respectfully ask her to consider the very title of her book. Speaker Pelosi is the only person in America
who can call the House back to session to have an open energy debate and vote.

It is time for Speaker Pelosi to use her power, call the House in to session
and allow a vote on a long-term "all of the above" energy policy.

I am willing to work with both sides of the aisle to pass a real energy bill,
and there are several pro-production Democrats willing to work on a bill that
increases American energy production, lifts the ban on resource-rich deposits
of oil and natural gas, develops alternatives and breaks our dependence on
foreign oil. Before Congress adjourned, a bi-partisan group of House members unveiled a new energy plan that would lift most restrictions on offshore drilling and encourage the development of alternative energy sources. This is a strong attempt to break through partisanship and work on a comprehensive energy plan.

If Speaker Pelosi ever allows a real energy debate, I believe a majority of Republicans and pro-energy Democrats could work together and develop a sound energy policy. I will continue to work for a policy of more drilling, more alternatives and more conservation.

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