April 12, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. ... A broad, long-term energy plan is vital to secure America’s energy needs, national security, and future viability.  Separating the electric reliability, or other provisions, from the energy bill fails to address our diverse and persistent energy concerns.  Americans are equally alarmed by the rising cost of oil and natural gas, OPEC’s undue influence in the energy market, and seasonal swings in home heating oil prices.  As a nation we no longer have the luxury of fighting over whether we need more nuclear, fossil, or renewable energy resources or greater efforts in conservation and efficiency.  We need them all, and we need them now.      

Americans face long-term energy problems as demand for resources outstrips current supply.  Incidents such as last year’s blackout -- combined with America’s dependence on energy from nations we don’t trust and nations who don’t trust us -- underscore the urgency of enacting legislation that will provide energy security for our citizens.  The energy bill not only improves electric reliability but also contains incentives for domestic oil and gas production, renewable and alternative fuels and conservation technologies.  These provisions will minimize the occurrence of future blackouts, increase the availability and affordability of all domestic fuels, and curb our dependence on high-cost supplies from foreign sources. 

We also must not lose sight of the broader goals of the legislation by allowing individual provisions to impede the work of several Congresses and at least two Administrations.  Exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) was a sticking point that was eventually removed from the bill.  But even without ANWR, there is a research and development provision for ultra deep drilling, which I sponsored, that has the potential to yield even more production capacity.  The bill represents much compromise, yet it still provides us with viable solutions.   

Crafting a comprehensive energy bill is difficult, but we can forge a consensus that moves America towards energy independence.    Fracturing the energy bill will all but end our best effort in decades to craft a much-needed national energy policy.