Issue Position: Energy and Gas Prices

Issue Position

Michigan and the rest of the nation continue to pay high energy prices both at the pump and to heat their home. Uncertainty about the cost of these energy prices makes it hard for families to plan for the year ahead and hurts our economy.

Congress needs to get serious about developing an "all of the above" energy policy that ends our dependence on foreign oil, leads to cheaper fuel bills and encourages job creation. In order to achieve energy independence, I believe a few commonsense steps can be taken:

Independence from Foreign Oil -- America uses about one-fifth of the world's oil supply, but we only produce about 50 percent of what we use. Our nation needs to move away from volatile oil markets such as the Middle East and Venezuela and instead use environmentally friendly ways to develop domestic energy from Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf.

Develop and Promote Alternative Fuels -- We need to support market-based strategies that encourage alternative energy sources like wind, solar, cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel, hydrogen and other clean alternatives in addition to promoting conservation.

Nuclear Energy -- Only 20 percent of the nation's electricity is produced by nuclear power; meanwhile nations like France receives 80 percent of all its power from nuclear. We need to grow our ability to produce this emissions-free energy.

To achieve an "all-of-the-above" energy plan, I am a co-sponsor of the following bills:

HR 49, American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act (Rep. Don Young, R-AK)

Allows for the oil and gas production in a 2,000 acre section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and uses a portion of the royalties to finance renewable energy programs.

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