"Manhattan Project" Needed to Achieve Real Energy Security
For decades, Americans have worried about the impact of energy costs on their personal pocketbooks and on the health of the economy as a whole. From the oil price shocks of the 1970s to today's roller coaster energy prices, individuals and families have been forced to juggle household budgets on a fairly regular basis just to cover the cost of a tank of gasoline.
After reaching record highs earlier this year, the price of crude oil has begun to fall recently. Economists pinpoint a slowing economy, rising oil supplies, and a mild hurricane season to explain the price drops, but one of the results has been a significant reduction in the retail price of gasoline. Last week, an Associated Press survey found that Missouri enjoys some of the lowest gasoline prices in the nation, with many stations advertising prices under $2 per gallon.
But while these lower prices provide a welcome respite from the sticker shock most motorists have suffered over the last couple of years, only the painful memory of $3 per gallon gasoline makes $2 per gallon seem like a bargain. We also cannot expect lower prices to be around for a long time. As we know from experience, oil prices can quickly shift in the other direction as a result of political instability, refinery problems, severe weather conditions, and other forces beyond our control.
In years past when the price of oil spiked, many drivers swapped their gas guzzlers for economy cars, but when oil prices stabilized and the economy improved, fuel economy became a lesser concern for most consumers. But in today's world, we cannot afford to continue our part-time commitment to long-term energy independence.
For too long, our country has taken a haphazard approach to energy security, without investing in the research and making the necessary changes required to bring about real energy security. We need a new "Manhattan Project," a major national effort to make substantial gains in technology, conservation, and vehicle efficiency and the use of alternative fuels.
Toward that end, I have cosponsored H.R. 5965, the Program for Real Energy Security (PROGRESS) Act. The PROGRESS Act would establish a National Energy Security Commission to bring together government, industry, and academic leaders to develop consensus national goals that respect regional energy solutions.
The measure would also establish a New Manhattan Center for High Efficiency Vehicles, which would create an advanced vehicle efficiency consortium and double the federal commitment to alternative fuels and vehicle technology programs in the federal government. Further, the bill would establish a National Biodiesel Infrastructure Development Program, promote transit use, develop a Rail Infrastructure Program, and ensure the federal government uses alternatives to oil.
Achieving energy independence is critical to America's national, economic, and environmental security. Each of us has a role to play in reducing America's reliance on foreign energy sources, but a challenge of this magnitude requires national leadership and commitment. The PROGRESS Act is an important step which will help our country reach our energy independence goals and provide real energy security for the benefit of all Americans.
http://www.house.gov/skelton/col061008.htm