The Need for Energy Independence
Recent events in the Middle East are good for the prospects of liberty in the region. However, they also demonstrate the perils of being dependent on foreign sources of oil. The turmoil in Libya and Egypt has an effect on the world market: higher gas prices.
Now is the time to act to take advantage of our own natural resources. We need to increase the use of renewable and alternative energy. We need to increase the number of refineries. We need a smart energy conservation plan and we need to keep exploring for energy in America.
Congress should act quickly to pass legislation to allow energy exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). I have supported this legislation every time it has been brought up for a vote in the House of Representatives.
ANWR is an area the size of South Carolina with billions of barrels of recoverable oil. New technology means that we could explore the entire region while leaving a footprint the size of Kansas City International Airport.
Congress should send a strong signal that it is serious about energy independence by authorizing exploration on the OCS. We are the only developed country in the world that does not allow for exploration that far off our coast.
Energy independence is not only a pocketbook issue, but a national security issue. These are all common sense steps that Congress should take to end our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
Sincerely,
