WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts took to the Senate floor urging the Congress to have a fair and open debate on real energy solutions that increase the supply of domestic energy and reduce consumption, in order to bring down the cost of energy for Kansans.
Senator Roberts made the following statement:
"Never was the energy crisis made more clear to me than when I met John Grau, a Kansan who runs a cattle operation near Soldier. I had visited with Mr. Grau near what used to be his home until the June 11 tornados reduced it to a basement open to the sky. He and his wife had taken shelter there and miraculously, were not injured in the storm.
"Despite everything he had been through and everything he would face as he began to recover from his losses, he chose to talk to me about gas prices.
"He said that he was going to be alright after the storms, but that I really had to do something because the high cost of gas was a real hardship for his employees, neighbors and friends.
"I have been retelling this story to anyone who will listen because it is important for those engaged in this debate to understand how our constituents are dealing with high prices.
"When I hear my friends on the other side criticize proposals on the basis that it will take several years for oil and gas to hit the market, I’m reminded that over the last two decades, this body has held over twenty votes on energy production. That’s twenty plus votes on either deep sea, oil shale, or Alaska production that have been blocked by my friends on the other side.
"However, the only thing that has changed in their argument is that energy prices and gas prices have continued to increase. Twenty years of policy that has increased our reliance on foreign oil is enough. And that is why the American public is calling for us to change course.
"They know that we cannot tax or regulate our way out of high energy prices. We must enact a long term and comprehensive strategy that steers the nation in the right direction so that we are not at the mercy of foreign interests controlling the gas pumps.
"The strategy is simple, adopt policies that lessen demand on energy and create more energy here at home, from sources we can depend on. We need action on this strategy, and we need it now if we are to ever see affordable energy in the years to come.
"The Gas Price Reduction Act takes these necessary steps.
"The bill would tap as much as fourteen billion barrels of oil along the Atlantic and Pacific. The legislation would also open up three times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia through western state oil shale exploration.
"Some of my colleagues want to paint this side of the aisle as advocating for drilling only. Mr. President, it’s obvious they have not read our proposals.
"Yes we, and the majority of Americans, support increasing domestic production, but we also support reduced consumption, and increased transparency and efforts by the CFTC regarding the futures markets.
"Our policy position does not stop at "find more." Our message, and the message from my constituents is "Find More, and Use Less."
"Our bill encourages alternative sources of energy including plug in electric vehicles through the development of better batteries to maximize electricity range and use less gas.
"Our bill is the latest in a number of actions we have taken to reduce demand on foreign oil and increase production of clean energy here at home. In 2005, we passed the Energy Policy Act that developed incentives for ethanol production.
"And, in 2007, we passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which improved vehicle fuel economy by increasing CAFE standards and provided incentives to develop cellulosic ethanol, the next generation in ethanol production.
"Mr. President, I’m glad we’re finally debating energy policy on the floor. However, limiting our efforts to only address concerns about speculation ignores the root cause of higher prices – production. Ignoring production is irresponsible and simply won’t get the job done.
"The President just lifted the ban on off-shore exploration. All that is left is for Congress to act. We must take immediate steps to bring real solutions to the energy consumer.
"Again, clearly the next step is action on a long term comprehensive energy solution for the nation which would increase the supply of affordable, clean, domestic energy. We can start by passing the Gas Price Reduction Act.
"Mr. President, it is naive of us to think that either side possesses all the answers to lowering prices. Senator Reid’s speculation bill was proposed on the floor and did not go through the committee process. The President’s Working Group has expressed strong concerns with this bill.
"Furthermore, the Interagency Task Force on Commodity Market’s preliminary report also shows that supply and demand is the driving factor in the price increase.
"Concern for the unintended consequences of our actions is precisely why we must engage in an open and fair debate, where ideas and proposals are discussed and voted upon.
"To do otherwise is arrogant and irresponsible.
"Our constituents expect and deserve more from their Senators. They need solutions, real solutions, and comprehensive solutions.
"John Grau said it’s needed now, and I agree."
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