Moran urges adoption of energy policy

Congress must adopt a comprehensive national energy police, Congressman Jerry Moran said Wednesday.
    Moran, who represents Kansas’ First District in the U.S. House of Representatives, hosted a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning to discuss the need for a national energy policy.
    On Aug. 1, the House adjourned for five weeks without passing legislation to address record energy prices.
    "It bothers me that the House is out of session," Moran said. "Congress shouldn't be on vacation when many Americans can't afford a vacation. It shouldn't be business as usual."
    Moran said he wants President Bush and Congress to meet as soon as possible to create a plan to increase the supply of energy, while also reducing the country's demand for oil.
    "I want an all-encompassing, long-term, thoughtful and environmentally sound plan for now and the future," Moran said.
    He said he supports an energy policy that calls for drilling additional oil in places that are currently prohibited, such as Alaska and areas of the continental United States. He also believes the country needs to increase its availability of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and nuclear power.
    Moran said high oil prices have given the country an opportunity to make this change.
    "Energy policy is finally receiving the attention it deserves," Moran said. "The American people are now supporting this effort. We need to capitalize on this opportunity."
    He added that Republicans and Democrats have been unable to compromise on this issue on the past; however, he said, the time may be right to finally discuss and make changes leading to a solution.
    "Votes are there for additional drilling for both Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “The votes were not there at $3 a gallon, but the votes in Congress are there at $4 a gallon."
    Sixty percent of the United States’ energy needs are met by foreign suppliers, which affects the country's foreign relationships and national security.     Moran said the president missed an opportunity to implement a new energy plan following the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.  
    "The president and Congress both failed," he said.
    Moran said a successful energy policy needs to increase the use of renewable energy sources and alternative fuels. He said he wants the government to encourage the use of more efficient automobiles, mass transit and energy-efficient buildings.
    Moran also supports extending a federal tax credit for wind power projects. 
    Currently, a large wind turbine can supply the electricity needs for approximately 350 homes, according to the Ceilo Wind Power Web site. 
    The national production tax credit made wind power competitive with other energy sources. For several years this tax credit has been extended, but the uncertainty of further extensions has made it difficult to plan for future wind projects.
    "Wind and solar energy require tax incentives to make them viable," Moran said. "We need an extension for a significant period of time."
    This extension has passed in the House but is still pending in the Senate.
    Moran also discussed the increase in demand for oil outside of the U.S. in developing countries. He said the global demand makes it even more critical for Americans to focus on reducing their own consumption.
    Moran said he did not expect a quick fix to America's energy problems, but he did advocate immediate changes for some short-term relief in prices.
    "Increasing energy costs are very damaging to our economy," he said.
    He said Kansas has been adversely affected by the increase in gas prices in agriculture and the work force, where oil is key to transportation and crop growth. For this reason, he said he believes increasing the oil supply should be a part of an energy policy.
     "Oil and natural gas will not be the primary provider of our needs for the future, but we're not going to get rid of the demand for the short term,” he said.
    Even if it took several years to pass legislation and begin drilling in areas such as Alaska, Moran thinks it will create a reduction in costs.
    "It sends a message to the market that for the first time in a long time, the United States is going to do something about increasing the supply to meet their own energy needs," he said. "That psychological boost reduces the price even on a short-term basis."
    Moran said Republicans and Democrats need to take immediate action on passing a comprehensive energy plan.
    "We've got to get way beyond the politics of blaming one party or another," he said. "Let's put everything on the table."

Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.