All Americans are acutely aware of the energy crisis our nation faces. Energy costs are spiraling upward, food prices continue to rise, and as a result, our entire economy suffers. This winter, families will spend for heat what they could have saved for college, and small businesses will spend for fuel what could have covered employee health insurance.
Our current dependence on foreign fossil fuels threatens both our national security and our economy and could also force drastic changes in the way we live. The ongoing transfer of Americans’ wealth to OPEC – roughly $700 billion a year – helps underwrite terrorists’ operations and creates little incentive for repressive regimes to accept democracy, whether in the Middle East or Latin America.
It didn’t have to be this way, and it must not stay this way. Our nation must have a robust energy supply because energy drives prosperity and increases opportunity for every American. We reject the idea that America cannot overcome its energy challenges – or that high gasoline prices are okay, as long as they are phased in gradually. We reject half-measures and believe “No, we can’t” is not a viable energy policy.
Together we can build a future around domestic energy sources that are diverse, reliable, and cleaner. We can strengthen our national security, create a pathway to growing prosperity, and preserve our environment. The American people will rise to this challenge.
We must aggressively increase our nation’s energy supply, in an environmentally responsible way, and do so through a comprehensive strategy that meets both short and long term needs. No amount of wishing or hoping can suspend the laws of supply and demand. Leading economists agree that any actions that will increase future energy supplies will lead to lower energy prices today. Increasing our production of American made energy and reducing our excessive reliance on foreign oil will:
Bring down the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Create more jobs for American workers.
Enhance our national security.
In the long run, American production should move to zero-emission sources, and our nation’s fossil fuel resources are the bridge to that emissions-free future.
Growing American Energy Production
If we are to have the resources we need to achieve energy independence, we simply must draw more American oil from American soil. We support accelerated exploration, drilling and development in America, from new oilfields off the nation’s coasts to onshore fields such as those in Montana, North Dakota, and Alaska. The Green River Basin in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming offers recoverable shale oil that is ready for development, and most of it is on federal lands.
To deliver that energy to American consumers, we will expand our refining capacity. Because of environmental extremism and regulatory blockades in Washington, not a single new refinery has been built in this country in 30 years. We will encourage refinery construction and modernization and, with sensitivity to environmental concerns, an expedited permitting process.
Any legislation to increase domestic exploration, drilling and production must minimize any protracted legal challenges that could unreasonably delay or even preclude actual production. We oppose any efforts that would permanently block access to the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Nuclear Power: the Earth’s Clean Future
Nuclear energy is the most reliable zero-carbon-emissions source of energy that we have. Unwarranted fear mongering with no relationship to current technologies and safeguards has prevented us from starting construction of a single nuclear power plant in 31 years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has for decades relied upon nuclear-powered vessels, and other nations have harnessed nuclear power to provide a major portion of their energy consumption. There is no reason why the United States cannot catch up and do the same. Confident in the promise offered by science and technology, Republicans will pursue dramatic increases in the use of all forms of safe, affordable, reliable – and clean – nuclear power.
As new plants are constructed using the highest safety and operation standards, the nation’s industrial and manufacturing base will be rejuvenated. The labor force will expand, with nearly 15,000 high quality jobs created for every new nuclear plant built – and those workers will lead the nation away from its dependence on foreign oil.
Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Hydropower
Alternate power sources must enter the mainstream. The technology behind solar energy has improved significantly in recent years, and the commercial development of wind power promises major benefits both in costs and in environmental protection. Republicans support these and other alternative energy sources, including geothermal and hydropower, and anticipate technological developments that will increase their economic viability. We therefore advocate a long-term energy tax credit equally applicable to all renewable power sources.
Republicans support measures to modernize the nation’s electricity grid to provide American consumers and businesses with more affordable, reliable power. We will work to unleash innovation so entrepreneurs can develop technologies for a more advanced and robust United States transmission system that meets our growing energy demands.
Clean Coal
Although alternate fuels will shape our energy future, coal – America’s most affordable and abundant energy resource and the source of most of our electricity – remains a strategic national resource that must play a major role in energy independence. We look to innovative technology to transform America’s coal supplies into clean fuels capable of powering motor vehicles and aircraft. We support coal-to-liquid and gasification initiatives, just as we support investment in the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies, which can reduce emissions. We firmly oppose efforts by Democrats to block the construction of new coal-fired power plants. No strategy for reducing energy costs will be viable without a commitment to continued coal production and utilization.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is plentiful in North America, but we can extract more and do a better job of distributing it nationwide to cook our food, heat our homes, and serve as a growing option as a transportation fuel. Both independently and in cooperation with alternative fuels, natural gas will be an essential part of any long-term energy solution. We must ensure it gets to consumers safely and quickly.
Energy Cooperation
We embrace the open energy cooperation and trading relationship with our neighbors Canada and Mexico, including proven oil reserves and vast, untapped Canadian hydroelectric generation.
While we grow our supplies, we must also reduce our demand – not by changing our lifestyles but by putting the free market to work and taking advantage of technological breakthroughs.
Increase Conservation through Greater Efficiency
Conservation does not mean deprivation; it means efficiency and achieving more with less. Most Americans today endeavor to conserve fossil fuels, whether in their cars or in their home heating, but we can do better. We can construct better and smarter buildings, use smarter thermostats and transmission grids, increase recycling, and make energy-efficient consumer purchases. Wireless communications, for example, can increase telecommuting options and cut back on business travel. The Republican goal is to ensure that Americans have more conservation options that will enable them to make the best choices for their families.
New Technologies for Cars and Other Vehicles
We must continue to develop alternative fuels, such as biofuels, especially cellulosic ethanol, and hasten their technological advances to next-generation production. As America develops energy technology for the 21st century, policy makers must consider the burden that rising food prices and energy costs create for the poor and developing nations around the world. Because alternative fuels are useless if vehicles cannot use them, we must move quickly to flexible fuel vehicles; we cannot expect necessary investments in alternative fuels if this flexibility does not become standard. We must also produce more vehicles that operate on electricity and natural gas, both to reduce demand for oil and to cut CO2 emissions.
Given that fully 97 percent of our current transportation vehicles rely on oil, we will aggressively support technological advances to reduce our petroleum dependence. For example, light-weight composites could halve the weight and double the gas mileage of cars and trucks, and together with flex-fuel and electric vehicles, could usher in a renaissance in the American auto industry.
The 2008 Platform Committee received public input through a website. Ultimately more than 13,000 comments were received and considered. The following is a sampling of those comments:
John Shadegg
(Jeremy - Elk Point, SD)
(Stephen - Aurora, CO)
We need a full-court press. Nothing should be off-limits. The plan has got to have two components. SHORT TERM: (1) issue tax credits to convert gasoline burning engines to natural gas or propane (it's already being done) (2) Tax credits for solar and wind power electrical generation.LONG TERM: (1) Fund R&D efforts by our best universities for clean coal use, hydrogen power cells, better batteries for hybrids. (2) Tax credits for private industries doing the same. (3) Build nuclear power plants. (4) DRILL DRILL DRILL for oil-nothing should be off-limit
(Ronald - Ocala, FL)
Our business partners are not our buddies or friends but countries that have hidden agendas and we are giving them the means to accomplish their goals. We must wake up and see the world as it is. We should not put one cent into the UN building but tell them to relocate in some other country and only pay our share instead of supporting a group of money bleeders who are there to enrich themselves. Let all of the Security Council members shoulder their share, they have the money. We must wakeup and protect ourselves and our position in the world order; we are number one and must stay there if we want a future for our children.
(James - Auburn, CA)
The GOP should make a stronger push towards OCS and other domestic drilling. Explain that, even though continued research into alternative sources of energy shall continue, the realization of those efforts is too far off to save the economy. OCS and domestic drilling will make an immediate impact as a more stable source will ease speculation. Bringing more refineries back on-line will also help, as well as creating even more jobs.
(Jonathan - Clearwater, FL)
There is enough oil under the North slope of Alaska to last the entire USA for the next 200 years. I kid you not... Let's drill it. The major drill point will be the coastal plain, which, apart from an occasional herds of migrating Caribou, shelters no animals. The infrastructure is already in place, pipeline wise, so let's get to it! In the mean time, we need to seriously evaluate solar and wind energy resources. Solar is extremely viable, especially with the advent of better cells and cells that look like shingles.
(David - Wesley Chapel, FL)
Cap and Trade - It is important that the platform not include support for a Cap and Trade system for carbon dioxide as the approach to deal with global warming. This approach is flawed as it risks immense damage to the U.S. economy in return for little or no improvement in greenhouse gas emissions. The platform should place emphasis on government support via research and development of those technological breakthroughs needed to significantly advance the cost competitiveness of alternative (non-fossil fuel) forms of energy. Continued support for improved wind, solar, nuclear, and clean coal technology is the best way to address climate change related to greenhouse gas emissions. It is the approach that will increase, rather than decrease, jobs in America and strength of our economy.
(Willow - Sheldon, IA)
If we drill offshore, we would only get a minimal amount of oil, and we would risk a lot more. We have most of MT and WY that have a lot of oil in shale, that used to be too expensive to get out, which now would be reasonable and prudent. We need to invest in cellusic bio fuel, oil producing algae, wind power, solar, plug in cars, CNG, LPG, etc. Nuclear would be good if we could do it safely. We need to spend a lot of money in alternative energies for the future. We need a good economic energy policy in this country.
(Rebekah - North Attleboro, MA)
Nuclear and Wind energy should be aggressively pursued if this nation intends to avoid a true crisis and be a leader in change. It's frustrating how much talk, how little action is being done by hired politicians. Our dependence on foreign oil has to be reduced if not irradiated. Nuclear plants are safe, wind energy is effective and virtually harmless, natural gas is abundant. We need to make conversion to these types of energy options a priority and develop a plan to transition the public seamlessly to electric/natural gas cars and home energy changes. An actionable plan is what the American people want to see and I think most will get on board quickly and happily.
(Dan - Gilbert, AZ)
As America transitions from (non-renewable) fossil fuels to portable electrical energy storage systems (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, etc.), the demand for electricity in the US will grow dramatically. Fortunately, the cost of producing electricity is still relatively cheap. This will change, however, unless we plan ahead to increase electrical production to meet and exceed the projected increase in demand. This should be accomplished primarily by an increase in nuclear-generated electricity as a clean, dependable, stable energy source.
(Joy - Cash, TX)
I believe we should support both wind and solar energy development. As T.Boone Pickens has shown, wind is a viable source and with the ability to store electricity just on the horizon, we should surely support development in this area. As the American people are tasked to develop solar and wind projects in this generation, the affordability will follow. This type of energy, wind and solar could very well be our greatest humanitarian effort for the future of our country and other countries .If T.Boone is outsourcing away from oil, we must be running low. Find better ways with wind and solar and create more jobs in the process.
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