For far too long we have heard our politicians in Washington talk about energy reform, but nothing has been done. They lecture us in the middle of a bad economy about the need to pass Cap and Trade legislation to fight Global Warming, which will cost the American taxpayer an additional $1,700 yearly in energy bills, and yet, they can not even prove that these steps will reduce so-called "harmful" CO2 emissions. Moreover, we keep sending billions of dollars to our enemies in the Middle East because of our dependence on foreign oil; these INSANE policies must end and be replaced by common sense approaches to insure sustainable American energy independence. Here are a few of my proposals to make this country more energy independent:
1. Completely end the policy of buying oil from the Middle East. America has more than adequate resources to sustain our fuel needs so that we SHOULD NOT rely on terrorist sympathizing nations for gas and oil. This not only allows these nations to fund terrorist activities with OUR money, but it allows OPEC to control the oil market without regard for the American consumer. We can do this by tapping into some of our oil reserves and investing in oil imports from friendly nations.
2. We MUST allow for offshore drilling and for drilling in ANWR (the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve). This would increase domestic production and create THOUSANDS of jobs for American workers. It would also make us self sufficient for our fuel needs RATHER than having to rely on exports from the Middle East. We MUST completely open up these areas to oil exploration and EXPEDITE the process of allowing PRIVATE companies to bid on these oil projects.
3. The Federal government MUST END the numerous restrictions placed on energy exploration; in other words, let the free markets dominate this energy exploration. Too many government regulations lead to less incentive and motivation for the creation of newer energy innovations. We must ALLOW the private sector to build newer and better coal and nuclear refineries which lead to cheaper energy alternatives while allowing us time to explore for even more environmentally friendly ways to be profitable yet eco-friendly.
4. We SHOULD make ALL resources within the United States available for PRINCIPLED exploration and research. The US has too many resources to have to rely on enemy nations to support our energy needs. The idea of "Drill here, drill now" is a good one which I support without hesitation. Nothing breeds success like allowing competition in this free market economy.
5. Work with our allies in the International Community to protect oil pipelines and reserves in friendly nations from outside harm or pressure from our enemies. We MUST allow for free market competition in other parts of the world in order to enhance our foreign relations status and to continue assuring American national security.
6. We MUST END harmful government regulations on companies with regard to stringent emissions standards. These standards are set by the international community and they are designed to slow American economic growth and expansion. Furthermore, the biggest international polluters are exempt from these stringent policies...if we have to abide by these stringent standards, then EVERY nation should have to abide by them as well.
7. Congress must provide rewards and incentives to companies that find useful alternative means of energy production such as newer nuclear power plants and hydrogen fuel cell technology. Encourage these companies to develop clean and effective energy resources that won't hurt Americans financially and will discourage the importing of oil from our enemies.
8. Encourage/promote the development of renewable resources with rewards, not unchecked funding. Allow the company/person who comes up with efficient wind and solar energy longer patent rights for their discovery. This promotes productive research because it doesn't allow for wasteful spending of our money.
9. Finally, we must allow the market based exploration (as opposed to government funding) of green renewable energy as an another alternative for satisfying our energy needs.
