With average gasoline prices recently exceeding $4 per gallon, I can't help but to be concerned about our ongoing need for sufficient, economically-priced energy to sustain our standard of living and provide for the common defense. 

Energy independence will put the United States in the driver's seat to pursue affordable and efficient energy solutions that will benefit all Americans, improve national security, reduce the burden on American families, and help maintain our environment.

American families deserve an energy policy that creates a cleaner and stronger America that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and also creates new jobs for US workers.

The average price of gasoline has gone up more than $1.67 per gallon (75%) since our current Democrat-led Congress took office. We need to take steps to reduce the cost for energy; the first step is to get representatives in Congress who are willing to act on the issue. This includes taking steps to lower costs near-term as long-term. Even according to estimates compiled by the US House Republican Whip, the steps proposed below will lower fuel costs by $2.00 - $3.00 per gallon at a minimum.

The Democrat plan does nothing to increase fuel supply and will result in a $0.09 increase in gas prices at the pump.  They propose spending their time suing OPEC, launching a seventh investigation into 'price gougers', launching a fourth investigation into speculators, raising gasoline prices by imposing new taxes on oil producers that will be passed along to consumers, and halting oil shipments to our strategic oil reserve. This approach will conserve some gasoline - by making it too expensive to purchase. We need a better answer like the one proposed below.

On the Issues:

• I support a cleaner, greener and stronger nation by reducing our dependence upon foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies, reducing federal taxes on gasoline, and encouraging the commercialization of alternative energy sources.
• I support diligent pursuit by private enterprise of all possible solutions to the current energy crisis including tapping into our strategic oil reserves, leveraging our abundance of coal in tandem with clean-coal technologies, hydro-electric power, natural gas, nucler power, solar energy, ethanol, wind generators, geothermal energy, and conservation.
• I support the development of clean coal technologies and the use of coal and shale for conversion to synthetic liquid fuels to provide this country an assured source of fuel.
• I support the repeal of all laws which restrict or impair domestic energy production to the advantage of foreign competitors.
• I support environmentally-responsible exploration and development of oil and gas reserves on federally-owned land, including the Coastal Plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaskan petroleum reserves already approved for development, and in coastal waters off our shores.
• I support expediting the approval of domestic refineries and improving the approval times for nuclear power facilities.  There have been no new refineries built since 1976 - those that are in operation at  near-100% capacity and can have a significant negative impact on fuel prices should one go offline.
• I support the abolition of the Department of Energy.
• I support adherence to existing anti-trust laws in the energy market to ensure consurmers are receiving the benefits of a free competitive market.
• I support a reduction of federal taxes on fuel. Despite the tirades by most our current congressmen that gas prices are too high; the government is making much more "profit" per gallon of gas than the oil companies; most of the money these companies make go to pay for marketing, distribution, refining, exploration, and development - not to the shareholders. Just as taxpayers are forced to tighten their belts, responsible government needs to cut its costs of operations, reduce gas taxes accordingly, and let taxpayers keep a little more of their money in their own pockets.
• I oppose the "windfall profits" tax proposed by the Democrats to be levied on the oil industry. Their supporting argument is off to a rocky start when they apparently don't understand the meaning of the term.  A windfall profit is a substantial profit that results from an "Act of God" or some event beyond the company's sphere of influence; since oil companies are involved in the exploration, development, refining, marketing and distribution of oil, any profits made from gasoline sales would not be a windfall profit.
• I oppose 'excess profit taxes' on oil companies. If a company's costs, in this case taxes, increase the company will raise its prices to cover the costs and achieve a profit. These do nothing but harm the consumer. Further, when oil companies suffer losses or smaller profit margins, the government does not send the shareholders a check. Since they take the risks involved with the venture, they should be properly entitled to any rewards.
• I strongly support the enforcement of anti-trust regulations to ensure that citizens are not harmed by improper collusion and gain the full benefits of a free-market economy.
• I oppose government subsidies, or "corporate welfare", for private enterprises including oil and gas producers.
• I support private sector initiatives to address energy concerns including the development and commercialization of alternative energy solutions, producing more energy-efficient products, and conserving energy in their own operations. With escalating energy costs, sufficient market opportunities exist to incent companies to pursue these initiatives; the government should remove unnecessary restrictions that will impede progress.