Issue Position: Energy Independence/Environment/Global Climate Change

Issue Position

The United States produces less than 5% of the world's oil supply but consumes about 20%. This will obviously continue to result in a significant trade deficit and keep us dependent on foreign oil. No amount of drilling will make us oil independent. Drilling offshore is obviously fraught with serious problems and it would increase the total supply of oil only minimally. In order to become energy independent we must change our focus to clean, renewable sources of energy. These include wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. The burning of fossil fuels continues to contribute to the increased levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The existence of global climate change and its relationship to the burning of fossil fuels is widely accepted in the scientific community. Those who deny this are generally not from the scientific community or are protecting the interests of the fossil fuel industries. Our dependence for oil from countries that do not have our best interests in mind further complicates the problem. It contributes to our trade deficit and some of the money eventually funds terrorists. Unless steps are taken soon to change to renewable energy, future generations will condemn us for our lack of insight into the problem. I favor tax breaks to businesses which would invest in the many forms of clean renewable energy.

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