The American Energy Tour, Part II

Last summer we saw firsthand the consequences of a short-sighted energy policy handcuffed by Washington bureaucrats. Families faced record high gas prices, grocery bills were higher than ever, and even charities such as Meals on Wheels felt the impact.

During the height of these rising energy costs, I had the opportunity to join House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to tour the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, where I was able to review emerging solar, wind, hydrogen, biomass, and fuel cell technologies representing the future of American energy. Our group then traveled to Alaska's North Slope to tour potential oil exploration areas. Dubbed the American Energy Tour, it was a valuable experience.

At the time, fuel and energy prices dominated the headlines. Today, even though prices aren't as high and the news cycle isn't focused on the impact to household budgets, the need for a truly comprehensive energy portfolio -- one including every source of energy like solar, wind, nuclear, clean coal, hydropower, biofuels and domestic exploration -- is just as pressing today as it was 12 months ago.

Just a few days ago, I was able to take part in the 2009 American Energy Tour, this time focusing on our offshore oil and natural gas resources off the coast of Louisiana. Members taking part received energy briefings from the Minerals Management Service regarding offshore drilling and leasing processes as well as learned more about offshore oil and gas production and coastal erosion.

Led by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), the tour offered us the opportunity to see the heart of our domestic energy production in action. We were able to visit the largest offshore natural gas platform in the country as well as to see one of the largest oil platforms in action.

It was insightful to see the process firsthand and to learn how environmentally-safe the entire process is. Louisiana is the nation's largest offshore oil and gas producer, and there are pipelines from the Gulf of Mexico to virtually every part of the country, including Nebraska.

Offshore energy development is an important step towards reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil. The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) -- including sections which have been off limits to drilling since the early 1980s -- may contain as much as 115 billion barrels of oil.

Taking full advantage of our potential offshore energy production has the potential to generate 1.2 million new jobs, $8 trillion in additional economic output and $2.2 trillion in extra tax receipts nationwide, according to the American Energy Alliance.

The Administration and Congress must takes steps to ensure America's offshore resources remain an important part of our domestic energy supply, but it simply can't be our only option.

America needs a comprehensive national energy plan, not a debilitating national energy tax under the guise of 'cap-and-trade.' An all-of-the-above approach to our energy policy -- one which includes offshore oil and gas production as well as the advancement of technologies to develop alternative sources of energy -- needs to be on the table.

I am a cosponsor of the American Energy Act -- a plan which offers takes just such an all-of-the-above approach to energy independence, more jobs, and a cleaner environment without imposing a national energy tax.

This bill focuses on more domestic exploration for oil and natural gas; a renewed commitment to clean, emissions-free nuclear energy; and investments in renewable and alternative energy technologies, as well as incentives for conservation by individuals and businesses.

We have the responsibility to learn from the past to ensure an energy crunch like last year never occurs again. By making good use of our domestic resources throughout our country and by encouraging technology and innovation, we can strengthen our country while at the same time ensuring our economic stability.