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ENERGY FOCUS
Transportation moves our nation and our economy. However as we begin the summer, fuel prices are at their highest point ever, with the national average price for a gallon of gasoline over four dollars. The American public has made it clear that something must be done.
In the past, I have supported and voted for increasing the domestic development of our energy resources. Americans need relief now and one short-term solution to address the current energy shortage is to promote domestic energy production by allowing limited natural gas exploration in Alaska and on our Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Unfortunately, 89 percent of the entire American OCS has been banned from access or drilling by Congress. With new technologies, we can develop these and other reserves in an ecologically safe and economically effective manner.
Another short-term solution to help bring immediate relief at the pump is to reduce governmental interference in the energy sector. Domestically, we have choked-off energy resources with overregulation and costly red tape. These obstacles have hindered in the development of new hydro-electric plants, liquefied natural gas terminals, nuclear power plants, oil refineries and transmission lines. We have proven technologies that can make an immediate impact on our energy needs. We need to overcome obstacles to the implementation of these energy alternatives, and we need to act now.
Of course, the long-term solution to address our energy needs is to promote greater use of clean and renewable energy sources for electricity generation - such as hydrogen, solar, wind, nuclear, biomass, geothermal and hydropower resources - and to invest in energy research and development. However, it must also be recognized that these alternatives are only part of the energy solution, and it will take years to transition to these renewable sources.
The current energy crisis has been created by past inaction. It is not, however, too late to regain energy independence. Through increased domestic energy resource development and leadership, we can alter our course and meet the energy challenges we face.
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