Voinovich Introduces National Energy Security Act

Release:

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and George Voinovich (R-OH) today introduced the National Energy Security Act, legislation aimed at boosting the nation’s energy security and national security by reducing America’s reliance on foreign oil.

The National Energy Security Act (NESA) is designed to make America substantially less dependent on foreign oil, and provides a bridge to transition to new energy sources.

NESA would create a national energy superhighway of electricity transmission, promote the development of plug-in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and the infrastructure necessary to adopt these vehicles on a wide scale, increase development of all domestic energy resources, establish and fund a workforce training program for energy key sectors, and urge further action to reduce the geopolitical impact of oil dependence.

“America’s energy security will continue to be at risk until we can move away from our dependence on foreign oil, much of which is located in dangerous regions of the world,” said Dorgan. “Breaking this dependence on foreign oil requires a long-term commitment, and now is the time to make the investments that will improve our security and create jobs in the process. This legislation is a road map for our energy future.”

“The problem with reducing our dependence on foreign sources oil is that many have seen where we want to go, but don’t know how to get there,” added Dorgan. “This legislation provides a road map, and will strengthen our energy security for generations to come.”

“For years I have called for a Second Declaration of Independence from foreign sources of energy,” Sen. Voinovich said. “Alleviating our reliance on foreign energy sources is a key to strengthening both our national and economic security. Too many of our energy resources come from politically unstable regions of the world, which often support ideologies in opposition to our own national interests. Our economic interests are then affected by this political and military unrest, causing energy costs to rise, hindering our ability to compete in the global marketplace and bringing our national security into question. It is about time we work on a bipartisan basis to solve this crisis.”

The legislation is supported by Securing America’s Future Energy Coalition (SAFE). SAFE is supporting the legislation as part of their overall effort to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We see every day the consequences of our dependence on foreign oil, from last year’s high gas prices to the deployment of our brave young and women to far-flung corners of the world to protect the global petroleum infrastructure,” Energy Security Leadership Council Co-Chairman General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps, said. “The National Energy Security Act will change our nation’s energy equation. It will help create jobs, strengthen the economy, and protect the environment. But most importantly, this bill will put us on a pathway away from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil once and for all, and this country will be stronger and more secure as a result. We commend Senator Dorgan for his strong commitment to this issue, and look forward to working with him to help enact comprehensive reform.”

Over the years, I have given our senior senator a LOT of grief, but he is one of the few who really understands that the energy issue is tied to national security. On this, I wish there were a dozen more Voinovichs...