After five years at war in Iraq, most experts are asking if
our national interests can be protected given the level of our
nation's dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf. In fact,
last week, former CIA Director James Woolsey said America’s
growing dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest
threats to the nation’s security and economy.
His views
are echoed by many of our nation's most trusted former
military and political leaders. To say that the oil producing
nations have us “over a barrel” is an understatement.
To get out of this precarious situation, federal and state
governments must pass legislation and appropriate resources to
accelerate the production of domestic sources of renewable
energy and fuels. To this end, I’ve called a special session
of the General Assembly on energy independence, which begins
Sept. 17th. This special session will address my Energy Independence Strategy as well as
debate other proposals that achieve similar ends.
My strategy will reduce the
nation's dependence on foreign fuels and save consumers $10
billion in energy costs over the next decade by dramatically
increasing Pennsylvania’s alternative and renewable energy
production capacity.
Instead of Pennsylvanians sending
$30 billion each year to the Persian Gulf to buy oil, we can
invest that money in Pennsylvania by paying our farmers for
the crops that produce ethanol and biodiesel. My PennSecurity
Fuels program will require 1 billion gallons of biofuels to be
produced and consumed within Pennsylvania by 2017. This
proposal puts Pennsylvanians to work and makes our nation
safer.
In addition to decreasing our reliance on foreign fuels,
our state's energy infrastructure needs to become more
efficient and diversify in order to ensure that electricity is
affordable for our residents and our industries. Already, some
Pennsylvanians have suffered the sticker shock caused by the
expiration of caps on electricity rates. Over the next three
years more Pennsylvanians will see their rates increase as
these caps expire. My strategy can soften the impact of
the cap expiration by investing $850 million in solar and wind
energy production as well as in conservation improvements in
the electricity distribution systems.
My proposal
rewards consumers who purchase energy-efficient
appliances and those who decrease energy usage in their
homes.
My Energy Independence Fund will attract new
companies to Pennsylvania and help grow those already here in
the alternative energy sector in our state. And, it will mean
our consumers save money on their electricity
bills.
I believe it is urgent that the members of
the General Assembly debate and pass a sound energy package
that: (1) increases our national security by addressing our
reliance on foreign oil; (2) invests funds to ensure
Pennsylvania has the best alternative energy and conservation
companies; and (3) rewards consumers who conserve energy.
By adopting a strategic approach, Pennsylvania can
declare its energy independence in a way that creates new
economic opportunity for our state while also strengthening
national security.
