Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

We have a tremendous opportunity here in Ohio to create thousands of jobs and lead America on a path toward energy self-sufficiency with our Utica and Marcellus shale deposits which hold massive amounts of natural gas and oil. Bill Johnson, a member of the powerful House Energy & Commerce Committee, is a leading voice in support of the environmentally responsible development of oil and natural gas. For too long, we've relied on unstable Middle Eastern nations for our energy. Those days must come to an end.

Johnson also continues to play a leading role in standing up to the Obama Administration and its 'War on Coal.' Coal is a critical resource for Ohioans, providing over 80 percent of our electricity and thousands of Ohio jobs. Johnson has consistently stood up against unelected bureaucrats who seek to kill Ohio coal jobs. That is why he authored the "Stop the War on Coal Act', legislation that would stop job killing EPA and Department of Interior regulations from going into effect.

Recently, Johnson introduced his "Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act' that would push back on the administration's attempts to shut down coal mining and the jobs that go with it. Johnson will continue to fight for the coal miners, and those who rely on this critical, reliable, inexpensive energy resource.

In order to achieve energy self sufficiency, we must move full speed ahead on domestic oil and natural gas development and coal production, but we also must begin expanding our nuclear footprint and determine what role wind and solar power and other renewable technologies will play in that equation. America has significant energy resources, and if Washington would get out of the way and let the private market drive energy innovations, we would learn to produce, store, distribute, and use energy in ways we've never imagined...it's called "American Exceptionalism".

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