The energy debate continues

August is traditionally a time when Congress adjourns to allow members a valuable opportunity to return to their districts and meet with constituents. For districts as large as Nebraska's Third Congressional District, which is 65,000 square miles, having several weeks to allow me to travel and host meetings is an absolute must.

So far this August I have traveled one end of the district to the other. I have had the chance to meet with hundreds of constituents to listen to their concerns.

Obviously, health care reform has been a major topic so far, but so has concerns over America's energy policy. Last August, when fuel prices were at or above $4.00 a gallon, Nebraskans let me know they were concerned with our nation's energy policy. Those worries are still there.

Last year, as you may remember, when Congress voted by just one vote to adjourn, many of my colleagues from both sides of the political aisle called for the House of Representatives to remain in session and to vote on a comprehensive energy solution to help alleviate the energy crunch impacting America's economy. I was one of more than 100 members who took part in the so-called "shadow sessions."

Today, many of those same hurdles continue to stand in the way of our economic recovery. Though gas prices pale in comparison ($2.70 a gallon in Nebraska as I write), middle class families and small businesses are still feeling the crunch.

The recession has left millions of Americans facing unemployment, pay and benefit cuts, and salary freezes. While all of this is going on, the leadership of Congress seems determined to push through an energy bill commonly referred to as "cap-and-trade."

This 1,427-page bill -- which includes a 300-page amendment which was inserted the night before the House voted on it -- would restrict greenhouse gas emissions from industries -- with much of the focus on carbon dioxide from the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas.

Energy is the lifeblood of the American economy, and this bill will have a tremendously negative economic impact. According to a recent study by the Heritage Foundation, gasoline prices could rise as much as 58 percent by 2035. Americans also will pay 55 percent more for natural gas, 56 percent more for heating oil and 90 percent more for electricity.

Annual energy costs for a family of four will grow by as much as $4,000 including taxes, forcing families to reduce consumption of goods and services or making other sacrifices.

Cap-and-trade will stifle opportunity and hurt an already struggling job market. Though it purports to create "green jobs," the bill could cost our economy as many as 2.5 million actual jobs.

I long have said America needs to adopt an "all-of-the-above" approach to our energy portfolio in which all sources of energy are on the table -- including solar, nuclear, biofuels, clean coal technology, hydropower, wind, and domestic oil exploration.

As it stands now we are in danger of falling behind when it comes to energy exploration. Recently, four contracts were signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin in Havana, Cuba, which allow Russia to explore and develop oil fields in the North Cuban Basin off the coast of Florida.

In addition to concerns about national security, if Cuba and Russia can tap into these resources off our coast, why can't we?

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the North Cuban Basin contains as much as 9 billion barrels of oil and 22 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Instead of new energy taxes on families and small businesses and government regulation standing in the way of domestic exploration, Congress should aim to lower gas and electricity prices by lifting government impediments. This would allow America's energy entrepreneurs to develop innovative and market driven solutions to our energy needs.

As we continue to debate America's energy portfolio -- and with 9.4 percent unemployment and a historic $1.3 trillion deficit -- Washington needs to finally support proven measures such as an all-of-the-above energy development which will reduce irresponsible government spending and create new jobs.