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The Alternative Energy Advancement Act
To say the least, folks are frustrated over the rising cost of gasoline.
There is a lot of talk going on in Washington about energy, but not much
seems to be getting done. There are some who argue that we just need to
use more of the oil available here in our country, while others say we
need to focus all our effort on developing alternative energy sources.
That is why I introduced The Alternative Energy Advancement Act (H.R.
6383), which seeks to increase the development of new alternative energy
technologies by diverting all federal proceeds from future oil and gas
leases, on and off shore, into a newly created Alternative Energy Trust
Fund. I hope this legislation can bridge the divide between Republicans
and Democrats on the energy issue.
In the short run, I believe we need to use more of the oil and gas that
is available here in our country. Over the long run, I believe we need
to develop and implement new alternative energy sources. This
legislation seeks to accomplish both of these goals by using the
proceeds from oil and gas leases to fund alternative energy research and
development for the future.
This legislation creates an Alternative Energy Trust Fund so when we use
more of the oil and natural gas reserves that are available in our
country, the proceeds from those leases will fund the research and
development of new energy sources for the future.
Achieving energy independence is probably one of the greatest goals we
can achieve as a nation. To get there, we need a mix of conservation,
alternative energy production, and greater use of the vast energy
resources that are available in our country. My frustration is that
there is a wrongheaded philosophy on energy policy in Washington that
says we can't fully utilize the oil, coal and natural gas resources in
this country, but says its ok for American families to seek direct help
from Hugo Chavez - the Dictator from Venezuela.
In order to lower energy costs, we must decrease our nation's dependency
on foreign sources of oil and gas. The Alternative Energy Trust Fund
will be available to the Secretary of Energy for research and
development of alternative energy to help decrease our reliance on
foreign energy and ultimately decrease energy costs for consumers.
This bill would help the United States become more energy independent,
which is critical to our nation's economic security and national
security. I will continue working with other common sense members in
the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis to strive to make these
reforms a reality, ultimately providing more relief for the consumer at
the pump.
Additionally, last week I voted in support of H.R. 6346, The Federal
Price Gouging Prevention Act, which seeks to protect consumers from
potential illegal gasoline price gouging. I support strong consumer
protections; I have supported federal legislation that protects
consumers from gouging with stiff penalties for offenders; and I
supported this new legislation that imposes stiff penalties for illegal
behavior.
Getting tough on real gouging is a start, but if we are truly going to
address the rising cost of oil and gas, we also need to increase
conservation; increase the use of alternative fuels; expand our refining
capacity; and expand our supply of the fuel available in our country.
As always, please feel free to contact my office if we can be of
assistance to you or your family. Please don't hesitate to contact my
office by mail, email or phone. Our contact information can be found on
our website, www.hayes.house.gov.
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