Issue Position: Smart Energy Policy

Issue Position

America needs a bold new energy vision. It is important to remember that a run up in oil prices preceded our current recession. America remains vulnerable. One of our top challenges is creating smart energy policy.

Since coming to Congress I have supported several key measures to diversify our energy portfolio such as increasing the use of biofuels to better balance our energy portfolio. More must be done. Increased use of domestic resources in an environmentally responsible way can help promote our energy independence while building a bridge to a more sustainable energy future. We must also fully integrate conservation, innovative technologies, and a variety of renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal--along with new transportation models--into our energy strategy.

In the Farm Bill, I introduced a new initiative that provides assistance for rural towns to establish community based renewable energy systems and become energy self-sufficient. Rural America can lead the way to energy sustainability, and Nebraska can be a national model for clean, green energy use and production.

Transitioning to sustainable energy will increase our energy independence and decrease the economic vulnerabilities caused by reliance on foreign oil, create new income opportunities for farmers, and conserve our natural resources.

Source