June 2, 2006

Seeking Real Solutions for Energy Independence

By Congressman Joe Pitts

Memorial Day has long been considered the unofficial start of the summer season. 

Americans from coast to coast get together and celebrate the blessing of friends and family and remember the sacrifice of thousands of American heroes that have given their lives in defense of our country.

But because Memorial Day weekend is also one of America’s busiest travel weekends, this year’s holiday also provided a different sort of reminder: the need for greater energy independence.

As Americans drove long distances to be with family or take vacations, they were reminded by high prices at the gas pump of just how dependent we are on a global oil market that is increasingly volatile.

Ever since gas first hit $3 per gallon earlier this year, politicians in Washington have been clamoring to respond.  So far, the proposals have been mediocre at best.

$100 gas rebates and threats of a windfall profit tax are easily seen by the public for what they really are: unrealistic attempts to find short-term fixes to a long term problem.

But, shortly before Members of Congress went home for the Memorial Day weekend, the House passed a bill that would actually take a meaningful step in the right direction.

H.R. 5429, The American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act, takes a long-term approach to America’s energy needs by authorizing environmentally responsible oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

In a time of skyrocketing global demand for oil, it is simply foolish not to take full advantage of the oil reserves we have within our own borders.  Opening ANWR won’t solve all of our energy problems, but it is certainly a good first step.

Estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey show that there are roughly 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil in ANWR.  To put this in perspective, that is more than double the proven reserves in the entire state of Texas, and almost half of America’s total known reserve of 22.3 billion barrels.

At today’s prices, the oil in ANWR represents more than $700 billion that we would not have to send overseas to governments that are often at odds with America’s interests. 

A common criticism of ANWR drilling is that it would result in widespread environmental devastation in the area.  A look at the facts, however, shows these claims are unfounded.

ANWR comprises almost 20 million acres of Alaska’s frozen northeast region.  That’s about the size of the entire state of South Carolina.  The area this legislation opens for drilling is just 2,000 acres.  That’s smaller than Philadelphia International Airport.

The fact is, there are environmentally safe options for achieving our goal of increased energy independence, but politicians in Washington must be willing to get past their political shortsightedness and begin to think long term.

Opening ANWR is a good start.  Congress should also allow responsible off-shore drilling to tap the huge energy resources of the outer continental shelf.  Streamlining the process for building new refineries and reducing the number of boutique fuel blend regulations are also good ideas.

Unfortunately, there isn’t going to be a quick-fix that Congress can enact to instantly solve all of our energy problems. 

But, by beginning to consider long-term solutions like these and others, we can stop regulating ourselves into a disadvantage with the rest of the world and start America down the path of real energy independence.

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