Declare Energy Independence

Situation: America’s Dangerous Addiction to Oil

Daily, America’s oil addiction increases: we consume nearly 21 million barrels of oil per day. Worse, while our demand exceeds 25% of global oil production, our known oil reserves are only 3% of global supply. As the developing world’s energy demands escalate, our nation’s dependence upon a single, finite fuel –– often obtained from unfriendly sources and areas we’ve been at war with – poses grave concerns for our prosperity, environment, and security.

Solution: Declare Energy Independence

The 21st Century Energy Strategy is a free-market road map for free people that will enhance our prosperity, security, and environment by guiding us to energy independence. Trusting in Americans’ ingenuity and industriousness, this energy independence policy contains three cardinal, integrated elements: conservation; production; and innovation.

* We must conserve our existing energy resources through free market reforms that reduce American’s utilization of fossil fuels by encouraging the growing consumer demand for and manufacturers’ production of alternative energies and flex-fuel vehicles; and fostering domestic conservation and environmental stewardship measures, including infrastructure improvements, traffic congestion mitigation measures, and voluntary, community based “green” initiatives to reduce energy consumption.
* We must end our reliance on fossil fuels. This will take time. To responsibly facilitate this transition to alternative energies, we must implement sound regulatory reform and broad tax incentives to encourage the greener production and utilization of existing energy sources, including: clean coal, solar, wind, water and nuclear power.
* We must realize the production of existing energies speeds the innovation of alternative energies. Government revenues derived from increased energy exploration and production must be dedicated to tax credits for alternative energy innovations and implementations. For example, this entrepreneurial energy policy will nurture the growing consumer demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles; and spur the research, development, production and utilization of alternative fuels in the emergent areas of bio-mass, bio-diesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and clean coal.
* So too, government must encourage the new infrastructure required to make alternative energies readily available and commercially viable; establish competitive prizes for distinguished accomplishments in the private research and development of alternative energies; and, engage America’s allies in a determined collaboration to develop alternative energies and enhance global environmental stewardship.

Restoration: America’s Declaration of Energy Independence

Ignoring the international energy pressures of globalization, Leftists stubbornly cling to their failed 1970’s lethargy policy of higher taxes, government dictates and spending boondoggles. This will cause Americans energy insecurity, due to price hikes and domestic shortages.

There is a better path. Because it recognizes America’s greatest resource is her free people, the 21st Century Energy Strategy constructively transitions America from fossil fuels to alternative energies; and allows us to declare energy independence. Again, it won’t happen overnight. But it will ensure our energy future is bright.