Congressman Miller Advocates for American Energy Independence

Statement

Congressman Miller Advocates for American Energy Independence

Despite the fact that gas prices are steadily rising again and our $1.8 trillion deficit is quickly growing, Congressional Democrats and the Administration continue to push forward with their tax and spend agenda and are currently on track to implement a cap and trade proposal which will raise utility bills and kill American jobs.

The Democrats' cap and trade plan is essentially a $624 billion national energy tax that will hit nearly every American family. This new national energy tax will be paid by anyone who turns on a light switch or plugs in an appliance and it is estimated to cost American families up to $4,000 annually in higher utility bills. A more fitting name for the Democrats' scheme is cap and tax.

Cap and tax will result in manufacturing jobs relocating to countries with less stringent environmental regulations, thereby inflicting greater harm on American families and small businesses, while doing even more damage to the environment. Studies have shown that a cap and tax proposal will increase the unemployment rolls by nearly two million people through 2012.

In addition to creating a national energy tax and killing American jobs, the Administration simultaneously is limiting domestic energy production. Earlier this year, President Obama put a freeze on all pending rules that would have expanded energy production in twelve areas of the Outer Continental Shelf for offshore drilling.

At a time when our nation is facing economic hardship, it is unacceptable to increase the cost of energy, ship American jobs overseas, and severely restrict the production of American-made energy. Rather than implement a cap and tax scheme, I have a comprehensive energy plan that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, boost our economy, and lower energy costs.

The simple reality is that America has vast unexplored domestic energy sources that can be brought to market in an environmentally friendly manner. In order to make American-made energy more readily available, my proposal reduces regulatory burdens that delay advances in domestic energy production. Contrary to the Administration's severe restrictions on American-made energy, my plan ensures that all coastal waters off the United States are open for drilling and incentivizes states by sharing a portion of the revenue derived. It also uses the earnings from offshore drilling to pay down our national debt.

My energy proposal also guarantees nuclear power will be a viable option for future generations and supports renewable energy tax incentives for wind, solar, biodiesel, and other forms of energy. Additionally, it also places Congress on record that it will not enact policies that will increase Americans' energy bills.

While Congressional Democrats and the Administration continue their efforts to raise taxes, grow both government and the deficit, and keep much of our nation's valuable natural resources under lock and key, my proposal fights for energy solutions that place the American people first. By increasing the supply of American made energy, we can help drive down the cost of gas, lessen our dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil, and stimulate our ailing economy.

GARY G. MILLER
Member of Congress

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