Nation Needs a Comprehensive Energy Plan

NATION NEEDS A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY PLAN

I voted, with a bipartisan majority of my House colleagues, late last year to pass the most comprehensive energy legislation in over a decade. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to muster enough votes to bring debate to a close and give the bill the straight up or down vote it deserved. Passing a comprehensive energy policy is one of Congress' most important unrealized goals.

I voted for the energy bill because a comprehensive energy policy is critical to the United States national security as well as our economic security. Ohio's manufacturers estimate that the President's energy bill, which the House passed, last November will save and create jobs in Ohio; spur investment in the overburdened electricity grid; and reduce the nation's dependence on Middle Eastern and other foreign oil.

After the bill passed the House, President Bush said, "I am pleased with the strong bipartisan support for a national energy policy that will use technology, conservation, renewables, and increased production of energy at home. For the past two years, the passage of a comprehensive national energy policy has been a top priority for my Administration, and I commend the House for its vote and urge the Senate to act expeditiously as well. America will be more prosperous and more secure when we are less dependent on foreign sources of energy. Reliable and affordable energy is critical to our economic security, our national security, and our homeland security."

Energy legislation must accomplish the following goals:

Reduce America's dependence on Middle Eastern foreign oil. In 1973, America imported 30% dependent on foreign oil.
Today, we are more than 60% dependent on foreign oil. We must put an end to our dependence on Middle Eastern and OPEC sources of energy and increase our domestic energy production. For too-long we've been at the mercy of nations and leaders that neither respects our democracy nor our way of life.

Provide price relief to American families paying record prices at the gas pumps. Until Congress passes, and the president signs, a comprehensive energy bill, gas prices will remain high. Gas prices are largely due to supply and demand. While it's true that we are more dependent than ever on Middle Eastern and OPEC oil, that is not the sole cause of supply shortfalls. The U.S. has maximized its oil refinery capacity. There has not been an oil refinery built in the United States in over 30 years. Further, regulations have created a nonsensical quilt set of as many as 50 different gasoline blends in use at various times of the year throughout the country. These rules can create short-term supply shortages in populated regions of the nation, which also drive up costs.

Create American jobs. The energy plan that the House agreed to is estimated to create 838,500 good jobs. When energy prices rise, employers feel the squeeze and Americans lose jobs. When dependence on foreign sources of energy increases, American families lose. We need an energy policy that increases safe domestic production to create jobs, drive a growing economy and lower prices for American families.

Promote conservation and innovation. The United States has the most advanced energy technology and the toughest environmental standards in the world. The countries we import our energy from often have outdated technology and much lower pollution thresholds.

The House plan, which I support, has incentives for renewables including; geothermal energy, solar energy, wind energy and safe new nuclear energy

The nation needs a comprehensive energy bill. The House bill, which I voted for, improves lives for American families. If the Senate passes a similar bill, which the president promises to sign, we will increase domestic production and reduce our reliance on Middle Eastern, OPEC and other foreign energy sources. We will reduce the obstacles that block supply and increase the costs at the pump and to heat and cool homes. The bill includes tax cuts for renewable-energy producers; incentives for utilities to invest in improvements to the nation's electricity grid; and a tax credit for hybrid cars that run on gas and electricity. Each of these concepts will promote conservation, better the environment and stimulate innovation. The House has passed a comprehensive energy package that is good for our country and good for American families.