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Keeping an eye on energy policy
Dear Nebraskans,
The stimulus package which passed through Congress last week commanded much of the Senate's attention. I did not support it, because I feel it contains far too much wasteful spending, and provides far too few new jobs and relief for American families. There was a second development last week which was also particularly troubling to me. Last Tuesday, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar made an announcement to postpone energy exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which I fear may change the foundation of our energy policy. Considering last year's volatile gas prices, as well as the likely possibility that price spikes will occur again, I am very concerned and will keep a close eye as this develops.
At the end of his term, President George W. Bush issued a five-year proposal for oil and gas exploration in the OCS. The OCS consists of the offshore regions on the west and east coasts, Gulf of Mexico, and off the coast of Alaska. President Bush's proposal would open as many as 300 million acres in the OCS to environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration between 2010 and 2012. With gas prices of close to five dollars per gallon last summer still fresh in my memory, I was pleased to hear of a proposal to tap into domestic energy sources.
However, Secretary Salazar last week announced that this proposal, which was to be enacted next month, will be postponed until later in the year. As a former Cabinet member I respect the Secretary's desire to thoughtfully consider each proposal that comes across his desk. Yet I am concerned that this is more than simply a need for deliberation, and instead will lead to an indefinite delay or even a reversal of the plan to explore critical domestic sources of energy. I certainly hope it is not an indication of the direction in which this administration intends to lead our energy policy.
While it is good to see gas prices around two dollars across the country, I am mindful they are rising and certain that the spiking prices we saw last summer will return if we do not ease our dependency on foreign oil. Never more than now have our economy and our energy policies been so closely interconnected. With so many Americans facing difficult times, it is critical that we craft a smart, comprehensive energy policy that focuses on tapping all forms of domestic energy sources, including the 300 million acres of the OCS.
I can assure you that I will be watching very closely as this administration shapes our country's energy policy. If this delay in oil and gas exploration in the OCS is extended further, I will be very vocal about my concerns and will encourage my colleagues to join me. Keeping our own sources of energy off-limits would have a negative effect not only on our gas prices, but on our economy and indeed our national security.
Sincerely,