Rising energy costs are putting increased pressure on the average American budget. Americans have every right to be disturbed by the price they are paying at the pump for gasoline. 

For too long, our country has been dependent on other countries for oil. We can become more energy independent and free ourselves of the turbulence and sharp peaks in the oil market if we concentrate our resources on perfecting alternative and renewable energy technologies.  I fully support the Presidents 20/10 (Twenty in Ten) plan which will reduce our gasoline usage by 20 percent in the next ten years.  By increasing the supply of renewable and alternative fuels and reforming current fuel economy standards we can achieve this goal. 

In fact, I am working with my colleagues on the Energy and Water Subcommittee to accelerate the process and reduce our dependence in less than ten years.  As alternative fuels become cost effective and readily available, we will have competitive market forces to drive down the cost of oil and gasoline.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 encouraged the development of ethanol as an alternative energy source and ethanol producing plants are rapidly being developed all over the U.S.  There are 80 new plants under construction right now and within 5 years, ethanol will be competitive with gasoline and consumers will soon have a choice at the pump.

The solid-oxide stationary fuel cell is another great inexpensive alternative energy resource.  The current partnership between the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Silicon Valley to develop the fuel cell is a partnership I fought hard to bring together.  The fuel cell can run on ethanol or any number of other fuels and produces enough electricity to power a single family home.  The fuel cell's pollution-free hydrogen emissions could even be captured and stored to be used to power a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.  Imagine that:  one unit to power your house and produce fuel for your car while you sleep without any public power transmission lines.

To achieve total energy independence, we must all do our part as individuals.  From purchasing energy efficient products such as special light bulbs to conserving energy and water in our homes and using technologies that make more efficient use of our energy resources. 

Last year, gas prices rose during the summer months and fell after Labor Day. We must work to free ourselves from the seasonal fluctuations in gas and energy prices.  It is against our national security interests to rely on volatile regions of the world for more than half our oil. Now is the time for action at home, in business and from the government at every level.  Thankfully, we are finally seeing "action" on this issue and not just more "talk".