Energy Independence

We have many energy-producing technologies - nuclear, oil, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, wood, solar, wind and other methods. Energy resources are very abundant within the United States. Americans should be exporting energy, not importing it.

Unfortunately, as a result of misguided Congressional policies - policies supported by Peter DeFazio, Americans are now buying 30% of their energy abroad at a cost of more than $400 billion per year.

Nuclear and hydroelectric electricity are inexpensive, clean, and safe. Spent nuclear fuel - so-called "nuclear waste" - is easily disposed of by nuclear fuel re-cycling, a method used in other countries but prohibited by misguided government policies in the U.S. Coal, oil, and natural gas are indispensable for many purposes. Solar and wind are expensive and resource-intensive, but useful in remote locations.

The relative percentage of our energy that comes from these various sources is best determined by competition within the market place, not by politicians. Our government should neither favor nor disfavor any method of energy production, and no tax money should be used for this purpose.

Most of our energy industry was built before and during the 1970's and 1980s, when government meddling was much less. Government has since prevented the installation of nuclear power stations - costing the American people more than $10 trillion in electricity that would otherwise have been generated - a loss, so far, of $100,000 per American household. Government impediments to the use of coal, oil and natural gas have cost additional trillions of dollars in lost energy.

Energy development need not cost the American taxpayer a single cent. All that is needed is for Congress to pass laws that get the federal government out of the way! Congress should close the Department of Energy. This department was established for the purpose of making the U.S. energy independent. Not only has it failed at this task, it has actually increased our dependence on foreign energy sources and, through interference in our energy industries, cost Americans millions of jobs by driving our energy-intensive industries abroad.

American energy independence can be restored in only one way - by the restoration of American liberty! Free, productive men and women built our country, the greatest achievement in human history. Our freedom has been taxed and regulated away by politicians, and our nation has therefore stumbled. We must remove these obstacles.