Friday, August 7, 2009

Our unilateral uncompetitive energy policy under Barry

As our chief global competitors continue to expand their access to job-creating, economy-strengthening energy resources, the U.S. Senate Environment Committee held another hearing today focused on subsidizing inefficient, intermittent, and expensive energy sources, while discouraging access to affordable and reliable ones.
Following the hearing, Thomas J. Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research, issued this statement:
"Another week, and another missed opportunity by Congress to address our nation's growing energy crisis. Russia is brokering a deal with communist Cuba to drill just miles from the Florida Keys. The Chinese are voicing interest in partnering with Canada to expand energy production. And Brazil is moving at breakneck speed to develop their oil and gas reserves offshore. But in Washington, our leaders sit idly by, debating misguided policies that will increase the cost of energy, cripple our economy, and make us less competitive.
"Energy rationing and taxpayer-subsidized 'green jobs' have been experimented with on the local, state, and national level. And universally, they have delivered higher energy costs, and less economic growth. Spain's experience has led to an unemployment rate approaching 20 percent in its country. Denmark, often touted as the world leader in wind energy, gives away electricity at a loss. And in the Lone Star state, Austin residents pay almost three times more for their 'green' energy. As our chief global competitors continue to expand their access to job-creating, economy-strengthening energy resources, the U.S. Senate Environment Committee held another hearing today focused on subsidizing inefficient, intermittent, and expensive energy sources, while discouraging access to affordable and reliable ones.
"Our national energy strategy is upside down. Instead of advancing meaningful, supply-oriented policies that keep energy affordable for all Americans - like the ones China, Russia and Cuba are advancing - our leaders are hard at work restricting access to our vast domestic supplies, taxing our affordable carbon based energy sources, and showering the "green" energy brokers on Wall Street with subsidies (tax dollars) and mandates. Increased domestic energy production creates good-paying jobs here at home. Washington must focus on creating these good jobs, not exporting them offshore."
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/
Well stated!

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