All Americans realize that we must develop a real energy policy – and we must do it now.  But most Americans understand that we must create the policy with a huge dose of reality and not attempt to make a quantum leap to future ideals while forsaking our national and personal economies, jobs, and lifestyles.  We must take the issue seriously, strive for a natural balance, and stick to it.

Idealistically we would all like to jump into the world of eco-friendly and renewable resources so the issues of the past and present could be put behind us.  Unfortunately, an instant transition is not possible so we must work to a natural evolution as new technologies are developed and perfected.  

During the interim we must utilize the energy sources at hand to maintain our economy and lifestyles, but we must do it with some changes.  For years our elected officials have talked about becoming energy independent, which is certainly a very worthwhile goal BUT in reality we have become more dependent on foreign sources.  In doing so we have sent enormous amounts of American dollars overseas which in turn has weakened the value of the dollar at home.  Some payments have gone to friendly governments, many have not.

We have an Administration that spent a good portion of the first year apologizing to the world for American arrogance.  But what can be more arrogant than having a National policy prohibiting mining and drilling for our own natural resources due to concern for the environment while promoting the "risk" in countries all over the word to satisfy our energy needs?  Modern technology has relieved many of the concerns of the past and would allow us to utilize our own resources, maintain eco-friendly policies, keep American dollars at home, and maintain our industrial base and lifestyles.

As stated earlier we should pursue renewable resources such as solar and wind power.  Where I differ with the Administration is in not maintaining our current energy sources while the alternatives are brought online.  If solar panels and wind mills are technically and economically feasible today, then let private industry promote them and stop borrowing dollars against future generations and relegating them to a new form of debtor’s prison.  If the technologies are not ready, then stop betting the future of America by restraining the use of the natural resource we do have today. 

In the summer of 2008 we saw gasoline prices spike above $4.00 a gallon as oil reached heights of $175 a barrel.  Americans demanded relief and did so with the expectation that we begin using our own resources by drilling offshore and in Anwar.  Congress listened and the scale started to tip until the price of oil fell precipitously and the short term memory allowed the issue to be discarded.  Two things must be understood by all Americans – 1) oil prices did not fall by chance, rather the price manipulation occurred out of fear that the US would open its know oil fields for exploitation and would become a smaller consumer on the world scene – in other words the flow of American dollars overseas would be greatly reduced.  And, 2) the price of oil will rise as quickly as it fell as soon as the US and world economies stabilize, and gas prices will mimic the rates seen in 2008.

During the drilling debate the naysayers suggested that drilling offshore and in Anwar would take several years before a drop of oil would be realized.  WELL, we have had two years and we have done nothing to prepare for the future.  Maybe we should look at the utilization of our own resources as “shovel ready” jobs that could create jobs with private industry money without the need of borrowed federal funds.   In addition, the royalties that would be generated would help the economies of a number of states dealing with budget deficits.

As your Senator, I will work to achieve concurrence on the following:
• Stop all actions towards Cap and Trade,
• Avoid any and all agreements and/or treaties which seek to limit, tax, or diminish our use of natural resources as we develop long term technology towards the use of renewable and eco-friendly resources,
• Remove the barriers so offshore and Anwar exploration and drilling may begin immediately,
• Provide industry incentives to continue the development and implementation of clean coal technology, and
• Provide industry incentives to expand the delivery system for our abundant natural gas supply.

At the same time,

• Provide the authorization for private industry to start the design and construction of nuclear power plants utilizing the state-of-the-art instrumentation and control systems which have had enormous gains since the last plant was brought online in the mid-1970’s,
• Provide research grants to hasten the development of nuclear fusion which would be a clean and renewable resource,
• Provide industry incentives to continue the improvement in battery development, solar energy, and increase the efficiencies of our current means of transportation, and
• Provide industry incentives to modernize our electrical grid networks.

Please Note:   I make the commitment to all Ohioans to work diligently for the items listed above, but I will be only one vote in the Senate so I need your help.  We will discuss all the action steps at each of the town hall meetings and establish plans to garner support and push ahead with the agenda.