Martinez Discusses Nation's Energy Crisis During Gulf Power Company Visit

Press Release

MARTINEZ DISCUSSES NATION'S ENERGY CRISIS DURING GULF POWER COMPANY VISIT

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today addressed Gulf Power officials and employees at their headquarters in Pensacola. Senator Martinez discussed energy prices and the need for the U.S. to work on both short-term and long-term solutions, including the need for more domestic exploration and resource development, conservation, and use of new fuel technologies.

"High gas prices are the single most important issue to Americans right now and we need to focus on solutions for short-term relief and long-term domestic energy development," Martinez said. "In the long-term, we need to take full advantage of our domestic resources, which includes developing our oil supplies and also increasing our use of nuclear power. Nuclear power is safe, emissions-free power that can be used to make our nation energy independent."

Senator Martinez recently joined with more than 40 senators to introduce the Gas Prices Reduction Act of 2008. This is a comprehensive effort focusing on short and long-term solutions to oil supply constraints, including expanding domestic exploration and resource development, and expansion of advanced hybrid vehicle technologies.

In addition, Senator Martinez introduced a proposal, as part of the climate change bill, to encourage and incentivize the development of nuclear power in the United States. The measure would provide a 10 percent investment tax credit for new nuclear plants as long as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approves construction by 2013, help to speed up the regulatory process involved in building nuclear plants and provide workforce incentives to bring back America's nuclear manufacturing expertise through tax credits.

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