Monday, January 30, 2006
Kathy Salvi Answers Chicago Tribune Question 2 - Energy
Here's 8th congressional district Republican candidate's answer to the Tribune's energy question, taken from her blog:
Tribune question #2
Oil, gasoline and natural gas prices increased last year, largely because of higher demand around the world and supply disruptions at home. Congress is likely to consider energy legislation next year, with the debate on how to increase supply and conserve resources. Please give us your ideas.
My answer:
Some say we need to conserve. Some say we need to expand the use of alternative fuels. Some say we need more nuclear plants. Some say we need to expand refinery capacity. Some say we need to drill more oil, for example, at ANWR. Some say we need to utilize the modernized “scrubber” technology to use our massive coal reserves. I say we should do ALL of these. As soon as possible!
We must increase refinement capabilities and drilling. We also must increase incentives for conservation and make alternatives to using fuel more available and practicable. Finally we must develop alternative and hybrid sources of fuel, for example, E-85 Ethanol and hydrogen fuel cells. Exxon is looking to build a full-scale refinery in Mexico rather than in the United States. It does not serve the United States’ interest to have new refinery capacity directed to another economy. Our national policy should be to challenge the industry to provide incentives for the right investments today for the future. These include but are not limited to environmental friendly drilling, refinement and alternative fuel research and development. The tax credit, for instance, may be made permanent for research and development rather than to be renewed annually as it is now. This would provide more stability to industry taking the risk and making the investment in research and development.
Tribune question #2
Oil, gasoline and natural gas prices increased last year, largely because of higher demand around the world and supply disruptions at home. Congress is likely to consider energy legislation next year, with the debate on how to increase supply and conserve resources. Please give us your ideas.
My answer:
Some say we need to conserve. Some say we need to expand the use of alternative fuels. Some say we need more nuclear plants. Some say we need to expand refinery capacity. Some say we need to drill more oil, for example, at ANWR. Some say we need to utilize the modernized “scrubber” technology to use our massive coal reserves. I say we should do ALL of these. As soon as possible!
We must increase refinement capabilities and drilling. We also must increase incentives for conservation and make alternatives to using fuel more available and practicable. Finally we must develop alternative and hybrid sources of fuel, for example, E-85 Ethanol and hydrogen fuel cells. Exxon is looking to build a full-scale refinery in Mexico rather than in the United States. It does not serve the United States’ interest to have new refinery capacity directed to another economy. Our national policy should be to challenge the industry to provide incentives for the right investments today for the future. These include but are not limited to environmental friendly drilling, refinement and alternative fuel research and development. The tax credit, for instance, may be made permanent for research and development rather than to be renewed annually as it is now. This would provide more stability to industry taking the risk and making the investment in research and development.
