Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

We must act quickly to to enact aggressive, far-reaching policies promoting alternative energy sources such as natural gas, alcohol, methane, and bio-diesel fuels, and thermal, solar, wind and breeder-reactor generated electricity. We need to immediately start drilling in our coastal territorial waters using new, environmentally friendly technologies. The federal government must permit the building of six new high-tech refineries in the United States, owned but not operated by the government. This fuel can be used by various state and federal agencies, thereby lowering taxes.

We import much of our energy from other countries, and in doing so become dependent on some that are not as friendly or politically stable as we would like. Government energy policies can work to deter energy imports and promote domestic energy production. The reliable and cost-effective energy that results will fuel jobs, economic growth and maintain our high standard of living.

* Develop Domestic Energy Resources - While America produces far more oil, coal and natural gas than most people think, there is still much more to be had. Nevertheless, most mining and energy companies find it uneconomical to produce more here because of high taxes and excessive regulation. Government should promote domestic energy production and the jobs and independence it would create, with at the same time maintaining the integrity of our environment.
* Promote Alternative Energy - Though "green" sources will be an important part of our future energy mix, direct industry subsidies would short-circuit the magic of the free market that would otherwise best develop these resources and technologies. Instead, sensible policies and regulations should promote private-sector development of alternative energy so that it becomes efficient enough to make economic sense.
* Build Nuclear Reactors - "Green" energy is a nice thought, but for now it cannot provide enough energy to maintain our standard of living. While green technology and infrastructure develops, America should as a stop-gap encourage nuclear energy, an existing technology that already safely, economically and relatively greenly powers much of the world. Unfortunately, here it takes two decades and billions of dollars to site, permit and build a new reactor. Government should streamline this process.

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