Issue Position: Energy
Issue Position
Issue Position: Energy
Energy
On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 was signed into law. This energy bill is important to South Dakota in many ways. EISA increases the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), which requires the use of renewable fuel in our nation's fuel supply, to 36 billion gallons by 2022. South Dakota produces about 1 billion gallons of ethanol each year, and increasing the RFS is important to our economy and energy security. The EISA also increased fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks by 40 percent, to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
Although the EISA is a good first step, volatile fuel costs continue to have a direct impact on families, farmers, and small business owners across South Dakota. It is critical that Congress act to lower the cost of gasoline for all Americans. As part of the solution to lowering gas prices, I support increasing the use and availability of E-85 ethanol, increasing our domestic refining capacity, expanding offshore oil and gas drilling, and opening a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration.
I also believe we must pursue clean sources of electricity, which is why I voted for the one-year extension of the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC). According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, South Dakota has the best wind resources in the country and extending the PTC will help grow the wind industry in our state. I have also authored legislation to streamline the siting and permitting of transmission lines, which would help deliver our wind power to urban areas outside of South Dakota. Congress should also expand the use of clean nuclear power and invest in clean coal technologies.
This past year, Americans sent over $700 billion overseas to pay for our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. It is critical that Congress continue pursuing policies that conserve energy, promote renewable energy, and provide additional sources of traditional energy to meet our nation's growing energy needs.
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