As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have supported the expansion of American’s energy portfolio through increased domestic production, production of renewable energy, conservation and efficiency.

I have developed an ‘American Made Energy Plan’ to lower energy prices and end our reliance on foreign sources of oil.  My plan involves developing energy sources, opening up resources in the United States for development and conservation efforts.
Today in the United States we use 20 million barrels of oil per day, of which almost two-thirds is imported from other countries.  My plan includes developing energy fuels like cellulosic ethanol, which is energy that is produced from things such as wood chips, algae and etc.
           The other part of my plan involves accessing gas and oil in Alaska, off shore and oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.  It is estimated that our ocean resources will provide millions of barrels of oil a day, but without access to it, we get nowhere. 
           Lastly, my plan includes continuing our conservation efforts, like buying ‘greener’ appliances, using florescent light bulbs and recycling.
    My ‘American Made Energy’ plan relies on alternative fuel, traditional fuel and conservation.  With my realistic plan, we will have American made energy, it will be plentiful and will not have the gas price spikes that we saw last year that hurt families and businesses.
            Also during my time in Congress, I have either introduced or cosponsored legislation to diversify our energy supplies, from alternative sources like wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear power.  The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was signed into law and contains fuel economy provisions I created.  The new standards are the first increase in 30 years.