Offshore Drilling Is Not a Solution for US Energy Problems

I am strongly opposed to allowing offshore drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf. That is why I voted against the misnamed Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which is a plan to open more than 8.3 million acres of coastal land to offshore drilling.  I support continuing the current moratorium in order to protect our treasured coasts from drilling, and I believe we must diversify our energy supply and strengthen our security by reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels. 

Recent advances in new energy technologies have generated a wealth of possibilities to meet our nation’s energy demands without opening our coasts to drilling. I believe we need to harness the buying power of the U.S. government to invest in alternative energy technology. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am working on this goal within the U.S. military.

Opening our coastal waters to drilling does nothing to address our need for a sound, long term energy policy. The United States consumes 25 percent of the world’s supply of oil while containing only 3 percent of known oil reserves.  Reversing the existing moratorium is a short sighted solution that does nothing to solve the broader problem.  I will continue my work to diversify this nation’s energy policy, and reduce our reliance on oil. 

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