Our Energy Needs Demand a Strategy
More than ever, Americans are experiencing first-hand the crippling effects of our nation’s outdated energy systems. Blackouts, high utility bills, and high prices at the pump are just a few symptoms of an energy policy neglected for more than a decade. It was 30 years ago this month that the OPEC oil embargo took place, rattling the economy and creating mile long lines at gas pumps. At the time, America was 30 percent dependent on foreign oil. Now, our dependence has increased to a dangerous 60 percent. This number is expected to increase to 75 percent by 2010. Unless Congress enacts a new comprehensive energy bill this year, our energy future will continue to be unstable.
The House has approved the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which balances energy production with conservation, helping America meet its energy needs for decades to come. Our bipartisan bill will help ensure a reliable flow of electricity into America’s homes and businesses by requiring enforceable, mandatory electric reliability standards and by modernizing the nation’s electric grid.
A large component of that modernization is moving away from tradition fossil fuels toward cleaner resources. With 90 percent of new electric power plants expected to be fueled by clean-burning natural gas, and more than half of U.S. homes relying on natural gas as their main heating fuel, the bill allows for more oil and natural gas exploration and development. It provides royalty relief for deep natural gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico and streamlines permitting for natural gas projects on non-park federal lands.
Americans can also look forward to cleaner air with the energy bill’s efforts to encourage alternative and renewable energy use. One such effort will allow hydrogen fuel cell cars to compete in the market by 2020. The bill also promotes clean coal technology and increases the nation’s use of renewable energy, including biomass, wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectricity.
Clearly, it is time for Congress to pass a national energy bill so that all Americans will have access to the reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy that they expect and deserve.
