Issue Position: Energy Independence for America

Issue Position

We in Texas know America can be the global leader in energy production -- whether it is oil, gas, nuclear, coal, wind, or solar power, our state is one of the nation's leading energy producers. And we have the engineers, scientists, personnel, and services to help lead another energy boom for our country. We know our country's national security and our children's future depend on us becoming energy independent from unstable foreign nations.

But Congress is focused more on "energy punishment" than energy production.

Even the President has admitted that under the Democrats' plan for a "Cap and Trade" energy program, costs to consumers will "necessarily skyrocket". While working families will be hammered with thousands of dollars in higher energy bills, the plan put forward by the environmental extremists in Congress will do little to produce new energy or meet a goal of reducing emissions. Instead, it's just another grab bag of special interest spending directed at their supporters and favored by organizations which fund their campaigns.

To advance AMERICAN INTERESTS and that of our families, we need an energy plan which:

Expands Our Energy Industries

Stop limiting access to America's own domestic oil, natural gas, oil shale, coal deposits, and other sources. Our existing sources are a bridge to an alternative energy future. We MUST be able to develop the energy with which our country has been blessed.
Increase domestic refining capacity.
Increase transmission capacity to allow for greater domestic energy transport.
Research/Technology

Make the research and development of new and improved energy technologies an intense national priority, like the Manhattan Project of World War II.
Encourage and provide incentives to expand the use of nuclear power, wind, solar, geothermal, oil shale, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas for vehicles, and next generation batteries.
Continue to fund research in deep water drilling and clean coal technologies.
Stop Tax Increases That Only Hurt Consumers

Fight against any new Liberal tax scheme that seeks to reduce traditional energy production and increase energy costs for families and small businesses. Put simply, the Democrats' plans to raise energy costs is a JOB KILLER which our fragile economy cannot afford.

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