Our Nation, State, and District face a daunting energy reliance crisis. While political attention on this issue has lessened since the high gas prices of the summer of 2008, prices are now on the rise again, reminding us of the vulnerability of the energy market. And as always, the importance of energy and the environment remains. These are issues that impact our economy, national security, and future prospect of our nation. We must get serious now about a comprehensive energy strategy.
America needs a common sense plan to achieve realistic energy independence. My goal is for an American energy policy that focuses on energy-efficiency, innovation, and personal responsibility. I believe in developing a clear and lasting energy policy that encourages businesses to invest in new energy infrastructure and embrace innovative technologies, as well as empowers them to control their own energy usage.
Under my plan, the U.S. will increase its use of clean nuclear power; utilize and develop America’s resources including coal, natural gas and oil; invest in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar; and ultimately develop a domestically powered transportation sector. We need to rely on U.S. natural resources such as oil and the recent discovery of domestic natural gas and spend less on foreign-based energy.
For our domestic energy sector to advance, we must encourage business investment, development, and spending. To enable this business growth, we must establish a legislative energy landscape that is competitive, transparent, and predictable. The government's current cycle of continually and continuously establishing, adjusting, and then terminating policies for alternative energy investment tax credits and production tax credits has clouded the nation's future energy landscape. For businesses to find incentive in investing in long-term energy solutions, policies that govern the industry must be clear and lasting.
True energy reform will come from empowering Americans to make better choices in their daily lives. We can help do this by supporting innovations like the “smart” grid and “smart” technologies that allow consumers to be better informed and to manage their energy consumption habits. This empowerment will encourage and enable personal responsibility through smarter choices in conservation, efficiency, and energy-use.
Modernizing the electrical grid will also better enable our Nation to take full advantage of our alternative energy capacity. Encouraging the development of a diverse portfolio of energy sources - wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear, and biomass - to add to our current providers is a key component of a prolonged, prosperous energy policy. It is possible to build this resource diversity through domestic capabilities; doing so is essential to securing a reliable power source for our economy, our defense, and our future.
We must give more attention to improving the state of energy for our transportation sector. Our nation and the 10th District waste far too much money and energy on traffic pattern inefficiencies and vehicles idling in traffic. I want our domestic trucking fleets to run on clean, domestic fuels such as natural gas and bio diesel. My plan encourages personal responsibility through the use of alternatives such as plug-in electric cars, hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles, and more efficient performance rating standards for vehicles.
While I am against pollution and for alternative energy, I do not support any legislation that burdens Illinois households and families with excess taxes for heating their homes, especially in these economic times and with harsh Midwestern winters. I spent my entire life in the 10th District so I know what winters here are like. I also know what a drain the heating bill can be. I only support policies that are fair-minded to the people of our community and their unique energy challenges.
Protecting the environment is our duty to future generations of Illinoisans and Americans. There is much we can do right here at home by simply protecting the Lake Michigan ecosystem. Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes are the crown jewel of the Midwest. In Congress I continue the current bi-partisan efforts and the work of the Great Lakes Task Force to ensure Lake Michigan remains free from sewage and protected against invasive, non-native species. I want to keep our lakes and beaches open and clean for the people of the 10th District and beyond to enjoy.
