We need to exploit ALL our energy options -- Rep. Brown

Here's an advance look at an energy piece submitted by our man in Congress, U.S. Rep. Henry Brown:

By Henry E. Brown, Jr.

As energy prices continue to set records, my office has been flooded with your calls, emails and letters demanding solutions. You have even sent in drill bits saying that we need to increase domestic energy production as soon as possible.

As a former farmer and businessman, I know the impact high prices are having on South Carolina families and businesses. As a member of Congress, I understand the extent of this energy challenge and believe that it also represents a challenge to our security. That's why I am proud to be leading the fight up in Washington for an all-of-the-above solution.

This solution is as serious an approach as the challenge facing our nation. Adopting it means an increase in American energy production, a decrease in energy use through conservation, and accelerated development of alternatives. Not only do I have a strong record of supporting such efforts, but in many cases I have been leading the fight long before high energy prices made headlines.

Years ago, I was one of the few who would risk supporting environmentally responsible domestic energy production. I, along with six other colleagues, led the push for the new auto fuel economy standards that we have in place today.

What is stopping efforts to develop energy solutions? Unlike almost every other country, we view our nation's abundant energy resources not as strategic assets, but as environmental liabilities. We ignore or fight even the most basic efforts to develop them, instead hoping that our energy challenge will magically disappear while blaming "speculators'' and "profit-hungry energy companies.'' For all the years we've heard these arguments, have they had any impact on the cost we pay at the pump?

Back in the 1970s, foreign countries caused an energy crisis in the United States, and that was when we derived less than 30 percent of our petroleum from foreign sources. Now, more than 60 percent comes from foreign sources, many of which loathe our way of life and very existence.

Taking action now to develop the vast petroleum and renewable resources here at home will not only make more energy available, but it will also send a strong signal to these countries that threaten our way of life. Such a signal will have an immediate impact on the market and will lead to lower prices in the short term.

So what resources are out there? Fifty to 100 miles offshore, far from our pristine beaches, is at least 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Out in the West sits 2 trillion barrels of oil deposited in oil shale -- two times more oil than the whole world has used since the first oil well in 1859. Up in Alaska sits energy reserves equal to all the production of the state of Texas, all under 2,000 acres of desolate Arctic desert. Renewables like wave and wind energy have the potential to meet over 12 percent of our electricity needs in 20 years. Yet almost all of them remain off limits.

Recently, a colleague of mine said that we shouldn't conduct any new domestic energy production because the proposed locations were "special.'' A fellow member from Texas then asked him, "Well, isn't Texas special?'' The fact is, despite the scare tactics, there hasn't been a spill on a U.S. beach from offshore oil production in 38 years and new techniques are infinitely safer than ever before.

During Hurricane Katrina, 113 oil platforms were destroyed. Yet the U.S. Minerals Management Service said "no shoreline or wildlife impacts were noted.'' The same can't be said of our history of using tankers to import hundreds of thousands of gallons of foreign oil.

What can be said is that the residents of coastal South Carolina are feeling the pain of skyrocketing energy prices. Gasoline prices have risen to record highs, up roughly 75 percent since the start of 2007. Those who make their living on the water are paying nearly $5 per gallon for diesel, seeing already-slim profit margins erode further. The tourism industry is suffering because visitors can't afford to drive to our beautiful beaches and historic sites. Our industries are being stifled by high costs for natural gas.

I am proud to be leading the effort to develop an all-of-the-above energy strategy with my Republican colleagues. Through serious conservation measures and environmentally responsible development of our domestic energy resources now, we can bridge the gap as we work to develop and deploy more renewable and alternative fuels such as biofuels, nuclear and hydrogen power. I encourage you to visit my website (http://brown.house.gov/Issues/energy.html), where you can find more information about solutions to the challenge facing our nation. I want each of you to know that I am committed to this fight for energy solutions. It will be a hard fight, but it will be worth it. 

Brown, R-Hanahan, represents South Carolina's First District in the U.S. House.

Comments?

Comments

[PREFAB SPROUT]

What a surprise. Lock step GOP soldier Brown favors drilling in protected areas-I guess he must have got the memo from Boehner on todays talking points.

Henry, do us all a favor and retire. You don't have the energy and initiative to do the job anymore (assuming you ever did)

By the way, anyone who compares the Texas scrub country to the Alaskan Wilderness is a moron.

[Denney Clements]

I don't know, Sprout. This actually makes sense to me. I've been to the Texas scrub country and kind of like it. A lot warmer than Alaska. But even if we don't drill in ANWR, what's wrong with exploring for more oil and gas as we develop other energy alternatives?

Or are you one of those greenies who thinks we should turn off our ACs when it's hot and walk six miles to work, so we don't explore for energy in "pristine" areas? Are you actually a critic of the American lifestyle? You've proven Brown's point that only in America do we see developable resources as environmental liabilities. We do this to our detriment.

"Moronically" yours, dc

[Patrick Hill]

This Tuesday morning President Bush was asked at a press conference, "Are you planning to make a statement asking americans to turn down their AC's and conserve energy?

The President said something to the tune that the american people balance their own checkbooks, and that they can figure out if and how they need to cutback.

I imagine the liberal Whitehouse press were lost with that comment. They must have felt like those people running behind Forest Gump when he concluded with "I'm tired of running." They said to themselves, "Now what are we going to do?"

Liberals follow the cradle to the grave advice from the government. Wringing their hands, getting gray hair - they can't think on their own and must look to government, the god, for life instructions.

Conservatives leave your life for you to run. If you want to drive 55, then drive 55. But if you are a NASCARphile and you "can't drive 55", go faster (in the left lane please people! If you want to divide food into two groups instead of four or six, do it. Why wait to be bottle fed by the darn government?

That is what is wrong in this nation - people wanting to be spoon fed. Which brings up Iraq. People are drinking this Kool-Aid about getting out of Iraq. It has become a campaign issue.

Is anyone talking about getting out of South Korea or Okinawa or Taiwan or Columbia or Europe? Nope, it is not in the taste of the Kool-Aid. Why think for yourself when the government or the democratic party can think for you?

[Nick]

Then why is it that the conservatives over at the FCC want to control what we watch and listen too?

[Patrick Hill]

It is the dem.s that will force you to listen to their crap and call it "fair" when there is no market for it.

Perhaps, you want your four-year old boy to see Janet Janckson's nipple.

[Patrick Hill]

Get HBO and watch someone strip. Get Direct TV and see the Playboy Channel. Public airwaves should be children friendly up to a certain time. Then the GOVERNMENT will tell you when to put your kids to bed, as if you are not wise.

Dem.s at FCC wit a Dem. Prez, and Rep.s at FCC wit a Rep. Prez. To speak your language....Nick....gas has never gone more expensive than since the DEMOCRATS took over Congress. How do you like that myopic logic?

[Patrick Hill]

This Tuesday morning President Bush was asked at a press conference, "Are you planning to make a statement asking americans to turn down their AC's and conserve energy?

The President said something to the tune that the american people balance their own checkbooks, and that they can figure out if and how they need to cutback.

I imagine the liberal Whitehouse press were lost with that comment. They must have felt like those people running behind Forest Gump when he concluded with "I'm tired of running." They said to themselves, "Now what are we going to do?"

Liberals follow the cradle to the grave advice from the government. Wringing their hands, getting gray hair - they can't think on their own and must look to government, the god, for life instructions.

Conservatives leave your life for you to run. If you want to drive 55, then drive 55. But if you are a NASCARphile and you "can't drive 55", go faster (in the left lane please people! If you want to divide food into two groups instead of four or six, do it. Why wait to be bottle fed by the darn government?

That is what is wrong in this nation - people wanting to be spoon fed. Which brings up Iraq. People are drinking this Kool-Aid about getting out of Iraq. It has become a campaign issue.

Is anyone talking about getting out of South Korea or Okinawa or Taiwan or Columbia or Europe? Nope, it is not in the taste of the Kool-Aid. Why think for yourself when the government or the democratic party can think for you?

[Patrick Hill]

I am not a Kool-Aid drinker. I ask Rep. Brown again, "How many payraises?"

Don't invite us to visit your darn website to communicate with you, Mr. Brown, because you are unresponsive. How can I sit here and extoll the virtues of conservatism when you give us the finger after asking you "How many payraises?"

And the headline says "All I know About Congress Is That I Don't Like It." Chuck You, Mr. Browm!

[Patrick Hill]

Mr. Brown is the self-ingratiating Rep. we do not need in Congress. There are others, more conservative (who can afford the filing fee).

Night.

[PREFAB SPROUT]

DC

While you can certainly feel that the Texas scrub country is esthetically your cup of tea, lets deal in reality. Most Americans would view the Alaskan wilderness as a national treasure more deserving of protection.

As T Boone Pickens (oilman and right wing sympathizer)says, "we cant drill our way out of the problem". The answers lie in many different areas-however spoiling our environment isnt one of them.

[Rick]

If Alaska was so great, why did we get it so cheaply from Russia? It is basically an icebox. I say drill the crap out of it and get every drop of oil an natural gas that you can. The world only has around 25 to 30 years of oil left anyway. We need it to get us through the transition period to newer technology. Example; when you run out of mayonaise you scrape the jar to get all you can, especially when there is no more in the house. Get it?

[Denney Clements]

Sprout: OK, forget ANWR. Per McCain, who also opposes drilling in ANWR, should we open other now forbidden areas to oil and gas exploration. Or should we tough it out with vastly diminished energy choices? You appear to support the latter view. Correct? Explain, please.

dc

[PREFAB SPROUT]

Mitt Romney is now saying McCain will NOT take ANWAR off the table. That is a possibility as 3 months ago McCain didn't favor ANY drilling. Whats one more flip flop at this point?

Their is no energy "shortage" in the near future as we move away from oil. There is no shortgage now. I didn't see any gas lines on the way into work today--did you?

We WILL be forced to change our habits-smaller cars, less driving, more public transport. If you want to call that "toughing it out" so be it.

[Denney Clements]

Price, not shortage, is the issue. And as you know, I support alternative forms of transportation, having just this week written editorials in support of bicycling and mass transit. Just don't expect me to turn my AC up to 80 -- or off -- on a hot day. I'd rather consume coal-fired electricity than do that.

dc

[DanielC]

Look it's the magician's slight of hand trick again.

The oil companies have leases to 15+ years of oil that have gone through all the eco paperwork. They have not put bit one to the ground in those fields they are currently leasing.

If this is all about awarding them with more "leased" land, then it is a stupid conversation. Someone needs to let them know that they (the oil companies holding the leases) either start drilling or they LOSE their lease rights to those grounds without REPAYMENT of prior said lease payments.

Smoke and mirrors and slight of hand.

DSC

[Dr. James E. Dunn]

I agree Daniel, but I just wonder if it would be legal to do so?

DrJED

[Patrick Hill]

Rick for Congress!

[Rick]

Patrick: You can be VP!

[Rick]

Patrick: You can be VP!

[Patrick Hill]

If people in Washington whisper something about drilling, nevermind the drilling actually occurs, then the price comes down.

The morons can't even whisper. Republicans whisper in such a way the Mid-Eastern nations can hear it. I have known people like that.

The lines are not at the gas pumps, but at the bank