Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 218 N. Locust St. - Carlisle, KY - 859-289-6425

A new strategic energy policy that embraces an ‘All of the Above’ philosophy will decrease our energy costs, provide a boost to our economy and create new jobs throughout America. The high cost of fuel has had a sweeping impact on our economy and our workforce. Many businesses have been forced to cut budgets and lay off employees in order to pay for the numerous cost increases that have resulted from high gas prices. We must act now to increase the supply of American-made energy and diversify our energy production.

According to the National Defense Council Foundation, a non-profit think tank, developing natural gas and oil resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) could create more than two million new jobs across the U.S. (National Defense Council Foundation; “The Economic Impact of ANWR Resources”). The Council also estimates that States could gain up to $3 billion in new revenues from energy production in ANWR. The Rand Corporation, another non-profit think tank, estimates that the oil shale industry could create more than a hundred thousand new jobs and provide billions in revenue for local, State and national governments (Rand Corporation; “Oil Shale Development in the United States”).

The Energy Information Agency estimates that America’s energy demand will increase by up to twenty-five percent by 2030. In order to meet this growing demand, we must explore alternative energy resources. Expanded and diversified energy production through coal-to-liquid technology, wind, solar and nuclear plants can also drive job creation across the nation. The development of coal-to-liquid plants could be particularly beneficial for Kentucky as a generator of thousands of jobs in our region and as a source of clean, stable, affordable fuel for our nation.

As our energy needs continue to increase, we will become progressively more dependent on unstable foreign regimes to meet our energy needs unless some serious changes are made to our national energy strategy. Developing a comprehensive approach that takes advantage of all our American energy resources will not only reduce the pain at the pump, but will also decrease the unemployment rate and bring more revenue into our nation.

In July, my Republican colleagues and I introduced the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566). This legislation takes an ‘All of the Above’ approach that will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote renewable and alternative energy technology. The American Energy Act puts all our energy options on the table and promotes the use of all our domestic energy resources, including wind and solar power, oil and natural gas in ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf, and coal and nuclear technology.
While House Democrats have been on vacation this month, my Republican co

lleagues and I have been demanding a vote in Washington, D.C. Over the past three weeks, nearly 130 Republicans have spoken on the House floor about the variety of energy solutions that could reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lower gas prices and create more American jobs. It is time for Congress to listen to the American people and immediately hold an honest and open debate on comprehensive energy strategies like the American Energy Act.