Opinion Editorial

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez
Opinion Editorial, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune
”Carlos M. Gutierrez: Be Innovative on Energy, in Both New and Familiar Forms”

In spite of our advantages, America's global leadership is not guaranteed. If we don't act decisively now to increase our commitment to innovation, our nation's long-term competitiveness will be diminished.

Today we face a critical challenge in an area that requires urgent investments and actions: energy. Unfortunately, we hear a lot of talk about this from our leaders in Congress, but we don't see much action.

Increasing energy prices have quickly and painfully hurt the pocketbooks of Americans across the country. While the president has proposed actions that combine increased conservation, investment in new technologies and more production from existing energy sources, Congress has effectively done little to close the energy gap, hurting the American people and undermining growth.

There is no doubt that innovation can lead us to a future of low-carbon energy. However, the reality is that hydrocarbons—in particular, oil and natural gas—will continue to be an essential part of the mix that will power our economic growth for the immediate future. That's why we need a strategy that encourages energy innovation for the long haul while providing our nation with access to existing energy supplies in the short run.

This means investing in the basic research that will spur our economic growth and increase energy security. In 2006, the president announced an initiative to double the federal government's basic research budget in 10 years. This research includes work on key alternative energy technologies that hold the promise of meeting tomorrow's energy demands.

For example, fuel-cell and fuel-storage systems will increase battery safety and capacity, which will be important to advances in products such as electric cars. Other research, including energy-delivery grid controls and standards, will keep the superstructure that supports the American economy secure and robust.

In spite of the critical need for these initiatives, Congress has failed to fully fund this cutting-edge research, putting innovative programs in jeopardy.

As the price of oil rises, we need to access every ounce of American energy in an environmentally responsible manner. This will create high-paying American jobs and ensure that development is consistent with U.S. environmental laws and regulations.

This includes exploring innovative technologies so we can better tap into the tens of billions of barrels of oil trapped in oil shale; developing oil and gas resources on the outer continental shelf and in northern Alaska, and increasing our refining capacity.

The president has lifted the executive ban on accessing energy resources in the outer continental shelf. Democratic leaders in Congress now need to remove the congressional prohibition on energy exploration in these areas.

The president has proposed both short-term and long-term plans to address the energy needs of our growing economy. Congress urgently needs to step up and fulfill its obligation to our nation's future growth and provide leadership by making these proposals a reality.

How we respond to these challenges is up to us: The future of our nation's competitiveness depends on the actions we take today.

Carlos M. Gutierrez, the U.S. secretary of commerce, is participating in Twin Cities events today related to innovation and digital television conversion.