Issue Position: Energy Independence

Issue Position

Energy policy impacts our national security, the strength of our economy and the health of our planet. High gas prices stretch the family budget; our addiction to Middle East oil threatens our national security; and the increased consumption of fossil fuels contributes to global warming.

These issues will dominate the 21st Century and American leadership --- at home and around the world --- is needed now more than ever. But it requires a whole new energy policy and political leadership.

One of our greatest challenges is reducing our addiction to foreign sources of oil. Approximately, 70% of the energy consumed in the United States is produced domestically. However, the United States consumes 20 million barrels of oil a day, with 60% of that coming from foreign sources with a significant amount coming from the Middle East.

Today, we spend $10 billion a month defending foreign oil in the Middle East. Instead we ought to invest that kind of money in developing domestic sources of energy in places like the Mid-West.

While we can never be completely "independent" or self sufficient, we must now start taking steps to reduce our dependency on foreign energy sources.

Like the Apollo space mission, our nation has developed the technology to meet this new challenge. It is time to put these technologies to use by adopting policies that aggressively promote energy conservation, fuel efficiency, lower energy intensity and the development of renewable fuels, including bio-diesel, corn and cellulose ethanol, and clean energy technologies such as wind, solar and ocean energy.

American scientists are now leading the way in developing technologies to make our cars, homes, and businesses far more energy efficent. Scientists have also found new ways to develop cost-effective wind and ocean energy technologies. Today's advances in technology are making ethanol and bio-fuel more productive and affordable.

We are not alone in this challenge. In just four years, Brazil was able to cut foreign oil consumption by 40%. Today, Brazilians are no longer dependent on foreign oil and purchase new cars that use renewable fuels produced domestically. In Japan, most cars on the market will be "flex-fuel" within the next 20 years.

American leadership in developing renewable fuels and alternative energy will bring with it new economic opportunities for business, and new jobs for our workers and families.

fuelcell.jpgMassachusetts can become a Center for Energy Technology. Not only does this make sense for America and the planet, but Massachusetts benefits as well. We have the scientific expertise, labor force, capital and the natural resources to make the entire New England region an international leader in renewable and ocean energy technology.

But it is important that we act now ….both in Washington and here at home. Here is how we can do it. I have been working in Congress on a package of legislative proposals that would move our country on a path towards energy independence. Here are some of the initiatives we have been working on

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