Achieving American energy independence is as much a matter of national security as it is about fueling our economy. For far too long, we’ve lacked a comprehensive national energy policy that guards against steep price fluctuations and lessens our dependence on oil imported from hostile and unstable nations.
When prices at the pump skyrocket, few states feel the crunch more than Florida. In fact, Florida ranks third in the nation in total energy consumption, using 8.6 billion gallons of gasoline each year, with consumption growing by 300 million gallons annually. Our families, farmers, fishermen, loggers and tourists depend on Florida’s continued energy lifeline to fuel economic growth.
Any responsible framework for energy independence must begin with increasing the supply of domestically produced fuel, improving energy efficiency, and encouraging investment in groundbreaking renewable energy research.
As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I’ve voted for and helped advance key pieces of legislation to expand access to American made energy and put our Gulf Coast communities back to work, including the Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act, the Restoring American Offshore Lease Sales Now Act, and the Reversing President Obama’s Moratorium Act. These common sense, House-approved bills would lift the Obama Administration’s ban on Gulf energy exploration, establish a safety review for lease permits, and help jumpstart job growth in Florida and other Gulf states.
While oil and other fossil fuels are an essential component of America’s energy portfolio, I believe that we have a responsibility to future generations to strike a balance encouraging development of renewable energy resources. To that end, I have cosponsored legislation that expands access to geothermal, wind and other renewable energy technologies.
As an avid outdoorsman who took his first steps in the white sands of Panama City Beach, no one is more committed to balancing sensible energy development with the need to protect North and Northwest Florida’s vast natural resources. With access to 21st Century technology and some of the highest environmental standards in the world, I believe we can achieve energy independence without jeopardizing the health of our pristine shorelines, waterways, and springs.
America’s economic engine is powered by access to affordable, reliable and diverse sources of energy. I remain committed to achieving American energy independence and making conditions right for job creation in North and Northwest Florida without sacrificing our treasured resources or Florida’s recognized military mission line, which protects our state’s military installations and the more than $65 billion they invest in our economy.