Senator Calls For Freedom From Foreign Oil

By Alexa Gitler
Talk Radio News Service

“Eliminating our dependence on foreign oil would have many, many, benefits,” said Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Monday while speaking at the Center for American Progress. Merkley emphasized the United States' need for comprehensive energy and climate reform that would target the country's dependence on expensive and unstable foreign oil.

The Democratic Senator introduced a prospective, 20 year agenda aimed at ending America’s dependence on foreign oil. Merkely believes his plan would be politically and economically feasible, and environmentally beneficial.

“The plan centers around electric vehicle deployment, which would have a 3.2 million barrels-per-day [reducing] impact, and [reducing] truck fuel economy which would have a significant 2 million barrels-per-day impact,” said Merkley.

New electronic vehicle technology is anticipated to be released in 2011 with the introduction of the new Chevrolet “Volt”, Nissan “Leaf” and the Tesla “Model S Sedan”.

Merkley said that America must require better fuel economy for vehicles. The Senator added that he supports policies to provide consumers with more energy-efficient appliances. As a result, this would help manufacturers save money by improving the efficiency in industrial process.

The development of these new electric vehicles would allow for the creation of more jobs for Americans who are currently unemployed, Merkley said.

“It’s a choice between creating jobs here in America or exporting those jobs over seas," Merkley said. "It’s time to set the goal and it is time to adopt a plan."

Boehner Addresses Value Voters, Attacks Stimulus

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) rallied against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Saturday morning at the Values Voters Summit in Washington, D.C., accusing the legislation's backers of delivering empty promises.

“My Democrat colleagues are bankrupting America... [The stimulus plan] was supposed to be about jobs, jobs and jobs, but what did it turn into? Nothing more than spending, spending, spending, and more spending”, said Boehner.

In regard to the recent Cap and Trade bill, Boehner disagreed with Democratic proposals that would demand higher taxes from the American people, charging that as a result there would be millions of jobs lost and a requirement for every American to invest $1700 in new green infrastructure for their home.

“It will tax every American... that’s anyone that has the audacity to turn on a light switch,” said Boehner.

In closing his remarks Boehner asked for the President allow General McChrystal, who commands U.S. troops in Afghanistan, to testify before the House and Senate. Boehner reiterated the importance of McChrystal’s testimony for success in Afghanistan, explaining that it would provide proper perspective for both Congress and the American people.

Post-Recess: Senate Takes Their Turn On Energy/Climate Discussion

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The energy and climate debate is making its way to the Senate, just two legislative days after the House passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill. The Committee on Environment and Public Works heard from White House and other government officials Tuesday. They highlighted the importance of making the U.S. a leader in the clean energy market, reducing the effects of global warming, and creating new jobs in the process.

“Clean energy is to this decade, and the next, what the Space Race was to the 1950s and ‘60s. America is behind,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “American businesses need strong incentives and investments now in order for this nation to lead the twenty-first century global economy.”

Other officials present included: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Chu said that he applauds the House for passing the clean energy bill and said he looks forward to working with the Senate to pass “comprehensive energy legislation.” He also noted that denial of the climate change problem will not change the outcome but comprehensive legislation that caps and then reduces carbon emissions will.

Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said, “I expect you will hear fierce words of doubt and fear and worse from the other side of the aisle regarding our legislative efforts to move forward with clean energy jobs legislation. This is consistent with a pattern of “No we can’t.” I believe this Committee, when the votes are eventually taken on our bill, will reflect our President’s attitude, which is “Yes, we can, and yes, we will.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) agreed that the bill will pass through their committee but he does not believe it will pass on the Senate floor. He said the Senators will have more time to review the many points of the legislation than House members did prior to their June 25 vote.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) also testified Tuesday and stressed the importance of informing the public about the facts of energy policy.

“The gigantic effect of energy policy on American life means Congress should work particularly hard to ensure Americans know the facts about the policies Congress is considering. To the contrary, the House of Representatives added more than 300 pages of its 1200 page energy bill a few hours before it was brought to the floor and passed. That is just the opposite,” said the Governor.

Senate Republicans: It's economics stupid!

New Mexico Republican Senator Pete Domenici said that the energy bill offered by his state's junior senator is "not a very big solution to a big problem." The reconfigured energy bill, written by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) features a component that encouraged energy companies to "use it or lose it," when it comes to lands that are already under lease. "Use it or lose it doesn't mean anything," said Domenici at a press conference with Senate Republican colleagues.

Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has offered little debate on the bill and is not allowing much room for amendments, said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D). Domenici said that their amendments are a good way of "finding more and using less." He cited the Repubicans' strong support for electric cars. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) said that oil shale is not addressed and that other countries, like Brazil, are taking advantage of this technology while oil shale is off limits in Utah and Colorado. He called for "massive" investment to recover oil shale, which he said is equal to 800 billion barrels of recoverable petroleum.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said that speculators represent about 20 percent of the problem when it comes to the current energy prices. He said that he spoke with billionaire Warren Buffet, a prominent U.S. businessman and investor, who told Cornyn that this problem will be solved with the simple law of supply and demand. Cornyn said that the Senate Republicans are dedicated to addressing the problem of supply and demand by drilling for more oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the oil shale of the American West.