Issue Position: Energy Plan

Issue Position

Issue Position: Energy Plan

A CALL FOR AN ENERGY REVOLUTION

America is standing on a precipice. Gas prices are rising, the environment is deteriorating, and Congressmen and women taking to long to respond. To solve this complex crisis we must first understand that our energy dilemma is intertwined with our need to address climate change and the loss of jobs that support Virginia's families. It is critical that we view our energy needs in the light of how future demand threatens our national security. We have lost more than 3 million manufacturing jobs over the past ten years while simultaneously undermining our national security by our continued dependence on petroleum. But there is also opportunity in this turmoil, the solutions to that energy crisis can stimulate Virginia's economy while going a long way to solve our environmental challenges.

Facing this crisis demands a commitment on the scale of President Kennedy's Apollo Project. I call on Americans to rally around a national effort to meet the three-pronged environmental, security, and employment problems we face. I propose a solution propelled by both immediate and long-term incentives. We can and must make our energy production independent and responsible. During this campaign I will not only speak about my vision of how to start an energy revolution but I will propose policies that bring our energy production home to Virginia while creating jobs that simply can't be outsourced.

Our energy crisis intersects with four policy areas:

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National security
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Infrastructure
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Climate change
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Job creation

The US spends more than $33 million per hour on foreign oil up from $13 million per hour four years ago. That dependence influences our energy policies and subsequently nearly every sector of Federal decision making. The strength of our economy relies on the availability and cost of energy and therefore it is critical our energy policy not depend on what is happening in the Persian Gulf. Thus, we must develop a forward-looking energy portfolio that frees us from the need to depend on unstable governments and the whims of the market. Demand for more domestic exploration solves neither long-term nor short-term problems. Calls for opening offshore leasing to oil companies, for instance, ignore the fact oil and natural gas companies already lease 68 million acres of federal lands on which they are not drilling.

For the long-term, however, we must reduce our dependence on oil altogether. We must demand "Zero Gas by 2050." To reach that goal, we must invest in alternative energy sources and energy efficiency. We must commit to a smart energy policy that will also serve as a sound economic policy, creating tremendous opportunity for America. A revolution for clean energy will create the jobs of the future while providing energy independence and climate protection.

When elected to Congress I will:

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Support House Resolution 6251 The Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act of 2008 which requires oil and gas companies to begin production on the 68 million acres of federal land that have been leased but are still sitting idle.

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Support incentives that will make our automobile industry more competitive in hybrid technology and production.
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Support research and development:
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Of cellulosic ethanol which is more efficient to produce than corn-based ethanol;
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Of hydrogen fuel cells so that we may end our dependence on foreign oil;
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Of wind, solar and tidal based sources of power generation.
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Support the purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles for government use and offering
incentives for public transportation to purchase fuel efficient vehicles.
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Re-appropriate incentives given to the oil industry to help develop the industries focused on renewable forms of energy.
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Invest in alternative energies so that America can grow 3 million new "green collar" jobs.
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Invest in bringing our rail systems into the 21st century so we can reduce our fuel consumption while better connecting our nation.

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