We Need a Power Boost
You may have noticed at the store you can now buy a little bottle that promises to give you five hours of energy. I don't know whether it actually works or not. I do know that the United States needs an energy boost, but there is no magic bottle to do it. The only solution is to increase our domestic production.
The main energy sources for our country are oil, coal and natural gas. The coal industry is booming. The Untied States is one of the largest exporters of coal. We are on pace to export over 100 million tons this year, something that has only happed six times in the last 50 years.
Most of that coal though is headed to Asia. American demand for coal has been slowed down by costly regulations from the federal government. Additionally, the United States has continued to increase its use of natural gas. Our shale gas production more than tripled between 2007 and 2010. Natural gas now supplies nearly 22 percent of our energy needs.
However, when it comes to oil, we are not doing everything we can to increase our domestic production. We have not tapped reserves in Alaska or off the Outer Continental Shelf. The House has passed legislation that would increase energy exploration and speed up the process of getting oil from the ground to the market.
When it comes to easing our energy crunch, there are no easy gimmicks. We must continue to increase the amount of American energy by using our own natural resources.
Sincerely,
