Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

When I came to Congress, my number one goal was to make America energy independent by decreasing our reliance on OPEC oil. Since I have served, I have come to learn that energy is also one of the most important drivers of our economy and our national security.

That's why as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's, Subcommittee on Energy and Power, I have continued to fight for the expansion of America's energy portfolio through increased domestic production, production of renewable energy and conservation and efficiency measures. When you understand that the cost of energy, either for transportation or electrical generation, ultimately determines the price of goods and services and the ability for America to attract and keep jobs at home, it becomes imperative to look at energy in a holistic way. I don't talk about an "all of the above strategy", I work for it each and every day.

I authored legislation passed by the House of Representatives to build the Keystone Pipeline. When built, this pipeline will transport oil from Canada's oil-rich Alberta oil sands region down to refineries on the Gulf Coast. The Keystone Pipeline will transport over 800,000 barrels of oil per day from the responsible exploration of resources from our country's number one trading partner. This major infrastructure project will develop the most highly engineered pipeline in history and help create jobs and lower gas prices.

Access to more supplies of North American oil and natural gas is the key to securing America's energy future and will help us provide a bridge until we can find new alternative sources of energy. Energy policy is an interesting and dynamic thing. It can be driven legislatively, through regulation or through policy positions of the Administration. As your congressman, I commit to not only support proven supplies, but to educate myself about new ways to use supplies we currently have in both a more efficient and more effective manner.

I have consistently supported renewable fuels because I believe that a diverse portfolio of fuel choices is the safest. Corn-based ethanol has been important to our state, but it is not enough. Our advanced biofuels are just starting to come on line and under attack. I have supported using various feedstocks from algae, hydrogen, woody biomass and landfill wastes. I will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to ensure we continue to have diversity in our supplies.

Wind, solar, and hydropower continue to play an important role. Because these are no longer new, Congress is working to make sure that the regulatory framework that governs these is appropriate and continues to encourage new uses of our resources.

But it's not enough to foster new sources of energy; we need to make sure we encourage innovation in how we use our fuels. That includes fuel efficiency standards. In 2007 when Congress wrote an energy bill, I was proud to be a leader on my side of the aisle in fighting for the first changes to fuel efficiency standards since 1975. This bipartisan legislation means auto companies are exploring new technologies that allow consumers to drive their cars longer on a single tank of gas.

When I say I support "an all of the above" energy plan, it means nothing can be left on the table. It also means looking realistically at how we do things in Washington to help the process. While there are technologies that sound good, if they take too many resources or are supporting jobs overseas, that does not help us in the long term. We also must streamline or remove unnecessary regulations that prevent us from proceeding with new sources of exploration and production of domestic energy.

I am asking folks who have experience in the fuels industry to come and explain to me what is working and what is not working. I am learning about gas to liquids because the U.S. has an abundant supply of gas. A number of manufacturing facilities in the Second District are dependent on natural gas as a cheaper energy alternative. Lowering the cost of doing business means more jobs and a stronger economy.

Supply matters. Demand matters. Making smart changes matters.

Source