New Energy Solutions

Gasoline prices are out of control. More than our standard of living is at risk. Our national security is at the mercy of unstable and hostile foreign regimes who control much of the world’s petroleum. We are at least three decades late in developing the production and distribution systems that are needed for ethanol and other fuels from crops, other biomass sources, wind power, solar power and other alternatives to petroleum. We are vulnerable to serious economic disruptions both as individuals and families and as a nation. Indiana can be a significant part of the solution. Congress must act.

I have long been an advocate of alternative energy. I have authored and promoted congressional legislation to encourage development of biomass fuels. I believe we must look to many sources of new energy, including ethanol, biodeisel, solar, wind, research to develop environmentally sound and safe sources of energy from coal and nuclear recourses, and also from more effective methods of energy conservation.

Ethanol from corn and other crops that are plentiful from the farms in the Fourth District is an immediate contributor to our new energy needs. Cellulosic ethanol holds even more promise. But in the presence of oil industry resistance, we lack a distribution system to get ethanol products to consumers.

I have heard from farmers, scientists, consumers, distributors, economists, and others throughout the district and discussed new policies to create a comprehensive American energy initiative. The challenges we face are significant, but there are great opportunities as well. We must invest in the technologies of tomorrow, while recognizing that oil still plays an important role in our economy. We must develop rational energy policies, monitor current energy demands, and vigorously ensure that the prices we pay at the pump are fair.