Issue Position: Energy and Gas

Issue Position

Energy

California's San Joaquin Valley has long been an energy rich region, supplying the state with power from oil and gas and renewable sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, and solar energy. This vital sector of our Valley economy has recently been bolstered by funding and grants in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), aiding in the expansion and diversification of our nation's energy portfolio. Additionally, Valley cities and communities have been applying for and receiving Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Energy and California Energy Commission, allowing the development and implementation of projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions in our Valley communities. The EECBG program was signed into law on December 19, 2007 and has been funded for the first time under ARRA.

My Legislative Efforts

Since the long gas lines of 1973, Americans would have hoped that by now we would have a national energy policy that would reduce our dependencies on imported fuels. This is why I have taken the lead in the 111th Congress with a bipartisan group of legislators and introduced the American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act, H.R. 2227 . This bill outlines a practical, responsible energy plan for America that would further develop domestic energy production of traditional oil and gas, provide a funding stream to clean up the environment and fully develop clean energy technologies.

Cap-and-Trade

On June 26, 2009 the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, often referred to as the "cap-and-trade" or climate change bill. I voted against this bill because, notwithstanding the need for additional energy, this bill would place the American economy at a disadvantage. The bill still needs more work, and Congress will have to make additional and significant changes that will benefit our Valley.

Developing a Clean Energy Future

We must use all the tools in our energy toolbox to maintain a balanced, diverse energy supply for our state and nation. As newer technologies move forward and expand, the San Joaquin Valley stands ready to take advantage of these innovations. . I have been actively engaged in advancing innovation right here in the Valley through efforts like working with California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) to establish an Energy Center that will provide research services and specialized educational training, and offer professional development opportunities related to energy efficiencies throughout the region. The CSUB Energy Center will meet the Valley's short and long-term needs for the application of new technologies in energy and help bring the Valley new jobs in the new energy economy.

As we move forward to address America's critical energy challenges, I hope that we can work together toward realistic solutions in the short-term, mid-term, and long-term that will reduce our dependencies on foreign sources of energy and get us to that clean energy future I believe we are all striving for. I will keep working to ensure that the clean and reliable energy sources of tomorrow continue to provide jobs and reasonably priced energy to our Valley.

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