Spotlight on the House: Beyond Empty Promises and False Outrage on Energy

Tuesday, I voted for our nation's future. I voted to place America as the leader of the new energy revolution, the revolution that will ultimately free us from our dependency on oil. I supported the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.

This legislation will increase domestic oil production, expand renewable energy, and end subsidies to big oil companies. The bill will also create millions of new "green" jobs, responsibly open additional areas for offshore drilling, and require oil companies to pay royalties owed to American taxpayers.

Although this bill leads us to a brighter future, it is not going to solve our energy crisis overnight. Politicians who tell you that drilling will immediately lower prices at the pump are not being straight with you. While facts often get lost in a debate governed by slogans such as "Drill Now, Pay Less" or "Drill, Baby, Drill," there are certain facts we must not forget.

First, no amount of extra drilling authority today is going to reduce gas prices in the immediate near term. The Energy Department admits we are looking at 10 to 15 years before we see the impact of offshore drilling on gas prices. Even then, the impact will be a reduction of 2 to 3 cents at the pump.

Second, the United States geographically only has 2-3% of the world's oil reserves. We consume 25% of the world's oil. Increasing our supply is not the solution. We can exhaust the oil reserves under our soil and off our coasts with little or no impact on the world market. We must also reduce our demand. Experts have been demanding an increase in fuel efficiency standards for decades. The Republican-led Congress refused to do so. This Congress has. The increased CAFE standards passed by Congress will reduce the demand -- and therefore the cost -- of gasoline long before the first offshore rig is even built.

Third, the rapid increase in oil prices that we observed over the summer -- from $90 a barrel to more than $140 a barrel -- was caused primarily by speculation.

The House also passed legislation, on Thursday, September 18th, to curb speculation in the oil market. This bill passed by a margin of 283-133. Again, it is speculation -- not economics -- that caused the rapid increase in oil prices and gas prices this summer. Curbing speculation will provide immediate relief.

Like most things in life, the solution to our nation's energy crisis is not black and white. The choice was never between drilling and inaction. The choice is between either continuing the Bush administration's policy of ONLY drilling or drilling AND investing in green technologies that put us on the path to energy independence.

Our country's dependence on oil is a threat to our national security, a hazard to our precious environment, and a burden to millions of hardworking Americans that are struggling to fill the tank. The American people deserve more than empty promises and false outrage. They deserve a smart, aggressive, responsible plan that actively puts our country on the path to true energy independence. By passing the Comprehensive American Energy and Consumer Protection Act this week, the Democratic Congress has put our country on that path.

Comments

[thollandpe]

The American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) says that air conditioning system efficiency INCREASED 49% from 1986 to 2006.

No big new inventions, no real radical changes, just good solid development and innovation with an eye on the prize. Good thing too, since A/C has also become much more commonplace in that period (growth). The efficiency increase was also real good for business!

And how did the auto industry do? MPG crept up about 5%. Pitiful. Transportation fuel use is eating our lunch, and it's high time we demanded better.

Efficiency and conservation, that's where the focus belongs.

[RTIII]

Nice to move things forward, but there's a LOT left on the table.

davebartlet's ideas are the wrong ones.

Here are a few right ones:

All new construction and roof-renovation of existing federal buildings should include mandatory installation of energy capturing devices - primarily solar and wind - with only a few exceptions for historic buildings, buildings in permanent shadow, etc.

Either mandatory or coerced (through withholding of funds) utility to consumer purchase of consumer generated electricity (typically solar or wind) throughout the entire US. (Presently some locations already have this, but not everywhere.)

REAL movement in the CAFE standard: Adopt Europe's EXISTING standard. (The claims that tougher goals aren't attainable is a laughable lie - Europe already beats our NEW 2020 standard.)

Establishment of federals standards in battery sizes and attachment technology to permit electric vehicle battery swapping business as a means of "refueling" all-electric vehicles, along with standards for policies, procedures and related regulation such as who actually owns any given battery, etc. Followup with financial incentives to help existing fuel stations add standardized battery exchange service.

...OK, THERE is a good start. What you were doing? Who knows?! It got no press, and you sure didn't tell us very much - just break your arm patting your back on the weak NOT "landmark" energy bill from earlier this year.
.

[davebartlett]

This bill should not even be considered an energy bill. A true energy bill would: 1) Allow oil companies to drill on proven reserves .. 2) Promote refineries outside the gulf of Mexico rim (where a single hurricane can should down a hugh portion of American refining) .. 3) reduce or remove restricting lawsuits by extreme conservation groups that is keeping future energy production held up in courts for years .. 4) expand nuclear power generation. It's great to promote conservation of energy, but foolish to feel that conservation will be the answer. More Government is not the answer either. Government just needs to set up a fair playing field & let American know-how take on the problem ... instead of standing in the way. See http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2008/09/17/whats-in-the-house-offshore-drilling-bill/ for further info. I can't wait for my company to promote bike riding to work. As long as I remember to keep the tire pressure checked, I'm sure we'll be on our way to energy independence.

[Rocky995]

Dear Rep. Shea-Porter,

As one of your constituents (in Exeter), let me thank your for your clear-headedness on the issue of this nation's energy, and by extension, war policy. You do us credit!

I look forward to reading more posts from you in HuffPo.

Best wishes!

[faithfully]

I'm voting for you, Carol.

[politicky]

Thanks. Metinks it may be too little, too late, especially considering the unilateral military actions pushed forward by the neocons, but thanks anyway.

[mediamarv]

Notice how she can't even say the word "lying" in her post. Dems are just too polite, trying to live up to some politeness code or behaviour etiquette which the Repugs tossed out years ago.

Come on Congresswoman: Say it. People who say drilling will have an immediate effect on pump prices are lying, Try repeating that several times a day. Maybe then a Democratic majority might finally get something done.