Dear Friends,
Energy is critically important to our future and our national security. Recently, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced Energy Independence 2020, our plan to secure ’s energy future. We are passionate about this because we need to move beyond an energy policy that only benefits special interests, together we can do better.
Our country needs a fresh start, and this plan will make more clean, more green, and more secure. Developing new energy sources is one of our most important national goals. I am proud that Nevada has been a leader in renewable energy technology and environmentally friendly policies. I will continue to ensure that this trend continues and that we realize these goals.
Related to this, I believe that the federal government must do a better job of protecting consumers, businesses, and farms who are burdened by today’s skyrocketing energy prices. We must break our country’s dangerous reliance on foreign sources of energy. We must ensure low cost supplies of sustainable energy. With leadership and vision, we can do these things. The results will be improved security, reduced burden on middle class families, and cleaner communities and environments. That is why we plan to:
Reduce Burdens on Consumers and the Environment
- Increase energy market transparency and consumer choice at the pump
- Prevent oil company price gouging, market manipulation, and disaster profiteering
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to cover increased household energy costs
- Provide car buyers with accurate fuel economy information
- Protect pristine public lands from short-sighted oil and gas exploitation
- Enhance funding for weatherization and low-income energy assistance in all climates
Launch an Apollo Project for Energy
- Free the nation from foreign oil by 2020 by supporting research, development, and production of alternative energy sources
Diversify and Expand Our Energy Supplies
- Establish a national electricity standard that requires greater use of renewable energy
- Enhance incentives for energy production from solar, wind, and geothermal
- Increase dramatically the production of domestically grown biofuels
- Increase environmentally friendly extraction of oil and gas from existing domestic sources
- Encourage construction of the Alaskan natural gas pipeline
- Support the development of a hydrogen economy
- Promote deployment of advanced clean coal technology with carbon capture and storage
Improve Energy Security and Reduce Price Volatility
- Create geographically diverse strategic gasoline and jet fuel reserves
- Streamline fuel specifications while maintaining state clean air protections
- Encourage the development of a smarter and more distributed electricity system
Reduce Demand for Oil and Natural Gas
- Lower petroleum use in the federal fleet and improve government conservation effort
- Provide consumers with more fuel efficient vehicle choice
- Develop renewable substitutes to replace natural gas use in the petrochemical industry
- Improve infrastructure and electricity options for hybrids and plug-in hybrids
- Increase mass transit use and incentivize transit-oriented development
- Improve air traffic management to shorten flight times
- Reduce tractor trailer fuel needs by improving aerodynamics, logistics, and idling
Invest in Energy Efficiency and American Jobs
- Update efficiency standards for appliances and small engines
- Invest in math and science education for the next generation of energy engineers
- Ensure access to worker training and retraining in advanced energy technologies
- Leverage trade relationships to maintain competitiveness of energy-intensive manufacturers
Please be assured that I will continue to fight for energy independence in Nevada and for all Americans. My best wishes to you.
Senator Harry Reid
