The Energy Challenge
Energy independence is a vital component of America’s long and short term national security strategy. An overdependence on foreign sources of oil has created unnecessary volatility in world markets, and undermines America’s ability to achieve national security and foreign policy goals.
As congressman, Keith Richardson will support the following principles and goals for energy policy:
- Dramatically increase domestic sources of energy through careful regulatory rollbacks, and a renewed emphasis on proven clean coal and nuclear technologies. The strategy should include carefully regulated drilling in ANWR to access essential natural gas and oil reserves.
- Continue military and foreign policy strategies that promote long-term stability in world energy markets.
- Improve security for America’s existing energy production facilities.
- Pursue tax and regulatory changes that promote new and existing technologies ranging from biodiesel, wind, solar, hydro and ethanol technologies.
- Penn’s Woods is blessed with thousands of miles of deep natural gas and coal reserves. Government at the state and federal levels should encourage and enable mining efforts through regulatory and tax relief.