energy

Energy policy is one of the most pressing issues facing us today. Where we get our energy, how much we pay for it and how much of it we use have far-reaching implications, from the domestic and world financial markets, to terrorism and the global environment. Securing reliable and domestically available energy is essential to the continued security and economic prosperity of our nation.

 

As constant advocate for senior citizens, I applaud the recent announcement of the 5.8 percent Cost–of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2009. This increase will give senior citizens and government retirees more money in their pockets during these hard economic times. However, it is important to realize that while the Social Security Administration raises these benefits based on the cost of living for the average American, this has been the largest COLA increase since 1982, an increase directly tied to the past year’s record high energy costs.

 

Last week I talked about the importance of wind-generated electricity. This week I wanted to pass along information about a project underway in Indiana that would generate a total of 750 megawatts (MW) of wind energy. Fowler Ridge Wind Farm, located about 90 miles northwest of Indianapolis, is the site of a project in its first phase that will utilize 222 wind turbines — 182 Vestas V-82 1.65-MW turbines and 40 Clipper C-96 2.5-MW turbines — to produce 400 MW of electricity. That phase is expected to be operational by the end of this year. The second phase is expected to generate an additional 350 MW, bringing the total project output to 750 MW. Construction of the second phase could begin as early as 2009.

This week's Energy Jolt is about wind energy. Wind-generated electricity increased by 45% between 2005 and 2006 and by 21% between 2006 and 2007, more than any other renewable source of electricity in both years. This trend is continuing and U.S. wind energy installations produce enough electricity on a typical day to power the equivalent of over 2.5 million homes. I believe that in the long-run we need to transition away from using oil, which will require more investment in alternative energy and energy conservation technologies as soon as possible.

Lifting the ban on off-shore deepwater drilling is an important first step in breaking our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  But, it is just a first step.  Our nation’s short-term and long-term energy needs must be met with an all-of-the-above strategy which includes sound conservation incentives and alternative energy resources.  Additionally, as a native of Charleston and someone who has the privilege to represent coastal communities in South Carolina, I am deeply aware of the importance of our world-class beaches to our state’s tourism industry.  Any off-shore exploration should be deepwater and well beyond our shores, in the realm of 25 miles or more.

 

Nearly all year energy has been one of biggest issues we have faced in Washington and today we can celebrate - briefly - the expiration of the ban on offshore and oil shale drilling.

Today’s vote moves us one giant step forward in strengthening our nation’s partnership with the people of India.  This agreement will be a landmark accomplishment for our two countries.  It will create new economic opportunities and promote the use of nuclear energy at a time when traditional energy resources are becoming increasingly expensive.  Alternatives like nuclear power can pave the way for a cleaner and more affordable energy market.  It can pave the way for thousands of new jobs as both nations expand their nuclear energy infrastructure.

 

I am grateful for the work of President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India for their steadfast support in seeing this agreement implemented.

The news that Democrats have finally recognized the significance of this energy crisis and will allow the moratorium on deep sea and oil shale production to expire is welcomed by the millions of American families, farmers and small business struggling to make ends meet because of their soaring energy bills.  But more importantly, it is a victory born directly from their unified insistence that Congress put America on a path of energy independence.

 

If anyone had previously doubted whether the speaker’s sham energy bill lacked both the merit and ability to become law, her intention to use a must-pass, temporary appropriations measure to sneak it through should erase all question. 

 

At a time when Americans are struggling with soaring fuel costs – and are about to struggle with soaring electricity rates – the decision by Democrats to jam through a sham energy bill that could never become law on its own says an awful lot about where their priorities lie. 

 

The United States Congress has a duty to pass commonsense energy legislation which eases Americans' pain at the pump.  According to recent polls, 61% of Americans support lifting the ban on offshore drilling in an environmentally sound manner.  Likewise, the American people have consistently supported extending renewable energy tax credits, expanding research and development into alternative fuels, vehicles, and clean coal technologies.  Yet, the Democrat majority leadership continues to put the cries of Americans aside and has only scheduled 14 session days in 5 months.  The American people must be heard.

Click here to read the No Adjournment Without Energy Legislation Resolution!

Today’s Democrat energy legislation is nothing more than a charade intended to fool the American people.   Influenced by special interest groups, Democrats are trying to sell America on a piece of legislation that offers no additional domestic oil.  It is laughable when we actually read the bill.  There is nothing comprehensive about this ‘no-energy plan.’ 

 

There is no use of clean coal.  There is no off-shore exploration.  There is no new refinery capacity.  Instead, they have crafted legislation that raises taxes on the American people and completely misses the opportunity to lower gas prices, something Americans are desperately seeking in today’s economic climate.

 

Below is a chart comparing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s proposed energy legislation with the American Energy Act, a comprehensive energy bill that I support.

 

Over the weekend, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that leading energy Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), has come out strong against the House Democrat proposal, urging her House Democrat colleagues to vote against it. Sen. Landrieu told CongressDaily: “It’s dead on arrival in the Senate. The Senate will never pass a bill without revenue sharing, in my view.”

 

 

 

The American people are hurting. They’re struggling under the weight of record gasoline prices and in that cause Republicans have been fighting for a comprehensive energy bill that includes more drilling. Three-quarters of Americans agree with us.

 

Just last week, the drill-nothing Democrat Congress announced they would bring an energy bill to the floor that includes more drilling and now they say Republicans have to take ‘yes’ for an answer.

 

Well, I would suggest to my countrymen that they look at the fine print. The drill-nothing Democrat Congress has brought a bill that actually includes basically ‘drill-almost-nothing’ provisions.

 

One issue is burning in the American public like no other issue, and that is the cost of energy. While the American people continue to suffer at the gas pump, House Democrats have decided to bring a so called “energy” bill to the floor that does not do enough to increase our domestic supply of energy now. We cannot afford to pick and choose only certain energy sources. An “all of the above” strategy that includes using all American-made energy is what the American people want and need.

 

Today Speaker Pelosi will send a strong message to the American people by not allowing a vote on an ‘all of the above’ energy bill.  She has made it very clear that the only energy bill this House will vote on is one created behind closed doors, in the dead of night and on her terms alone.  Neither Republicans nor Democrats will have an opportunity to state their opposition by offering amendments that would allow for development of American oil.  The Speaker will not allow a vote on any type of additional oil development anywhere in the United States because she knows it would pass overwhelmingly.

The energy policies set forth by the Congress during this crucial month will determine the fate of our nation's economic well-being for years to come.

 

The choice is clear. If we maintain the status quo, and continue to prohibit the use of our own energy - especially our vast offshore reserves - America will become a second-rate nation and generations to come will not enjoy the same standard of living we do today.

If we unlock these reserves, we will stop the export of wealth - $700 billion annually - and begin to put our nation on the road to energy independence. This will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining American jobs.

 

The Democrat Majority has adjourned for the week, but House Republicans remain in Washington willing to work and demanding a vote for the American Energy Act.

 

1:07 - Rep. Thaddeus McCotter: "Speaker Pelosi said this: 'I'm trying to save the planet.' Now, that is a fine goal. I'm an inhabitant of this planet. I'm a citizen of the United States. But right now, I care more about being able to fill up my family's minivan with reasonably-priced gas than I do about saving the planet." "I want you to remember something. We inherited the greatest nation on the Earth from the greatest generation. America is an economic giant but we can't remain that way if we don't develop our own resources."

 

The energy policy set forth by Congress in the coming days will determine the fate of our nation’s economic well-being for years to come. However, with 14 days left in this legislative session, it seems as if leadership is focused on politics and not policy while the American people suffer.

 

The choice is clear. If we maintain the status quo, and continue to prohibit the use of our domestic resources, especially our vast offshore energy reserves, America will become a second-rate nation and generations to come will not enjoy the same standard of living as we do today.

 

Tuesday, like most of my House colleagues, I boarded a plane for Washington. As I walked through the Nashville airport, I saw a number of familiar faces — constituents who work at the airport, or commute through it as much as I do. I got the same question from each of them: “Are you going to Washington to finally make Congress go to work on energy?”

 

Democrats returned from their five-week summer vacation this week.  I was hoping they would listen to the cry of the American people and take up the American Energy Act, which will harness all types of American energy and lower prices at the pump.  However, they have proven once again, their interests lie with environmental groups rather than the anxious and frustrated American people.