We need smart, common sense energy policies that will effectively help every American by containing rising costs and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil while taking advantage of abundant resources and new technologies available in North America.

Cap and Trade is bad for America because its need is questionable and unproven.  It is a unilateral solution to a global problem.  By President Obama’s own admission, Cap and Trade will cause electricity rates to skyrocket, and devastate our coal mining industry, thereby wasting our most abundant energy resource.  EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has confirmed that, despite the high costs to citizens and businesses, Cap and Trade will have no effect on climate change.  

Higher electricity rates would be a hardship on lower income citizens, at the same time, making U.S. companies uncompetitive, resulting in lost jobs and higher priced American goods.  

ACTIONS NEEDED

1. Defeat Cap and Trade.  Cap and Trade costs are far too high and there is no payback for America, no benefit for the global environment and does not directly lead to near term energy independence.
2. Pass legislation that will directly and effectively encourage renewable energy generation from wind, solar and geo-thermal sources.   Specific incentives need to be aimed at encouraging geo-thermal installation at the time of new home construction.
3. Provide incentives for the increased use of Natural Gas powered vehicles. It is a vast resource already available in many communities and the technology exists.  Forward thinking communities currently use Natural Gas powered buses, trucks and trains. Natural Gas vehicles can be refueled from any natural gas line, including a home source. Existing infrastructure can be leveraged to increase Natural Gas refueling stations on the road and at home.
4. Invest in the Smart Grid for more efficient and flexible electricity transmission.  Upgrade to smart meters with incentives to use electricity during non-peak hours.  Upgrades to the grid need to include hardening against neutron/solar flare threat.
5. Clear the way for America to harvest and utilize its vast domestic oil resources including shale and offshore reserves enabling energy independence while we continue to invest in renewable energy sources.
6. Expand nuclear power electricity generation and work to reduce the time it takes to turn-up a new plant. Today the average is 15-18 years from breaking-ground to becoming operational.