Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
American Energy Act ...
Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: June 12, 2009
The American Energy Act Will Protect Our Environment, Lower Energy Costs and Create Jobs
Just days ago House Republicans introduced an “all of the above” solution to cleaning up the environment, lowering energy costs, and creating more American jobs. The American Energy Act, which I strongly support, will increase production of American-made energy in an environmentally-sound manner and promote new, clean and renewable sources of energy such as nuclear, clean-coal-technology, wind and solar energy. The legislation encourages greater efficiency and conservation by extending tax incentives for energy efficiency and rewarding development of greater conservation techniques and new energy sources. Finally, the American Energy Act cuts red-tape and reduces frivolous litigation that hinders energy production.
Specifically, the legislation establishes a national goal to bring 100 new nuclear reactors online over the next twenty years by streamlining a burdensome regulatory process and ensuring the recycling and safe storage of spent nuclear fuel. According to the Department of Energy, the safest and most efficient way for utility companies to control carbon emissions is to increase their supply of nuclear energy. The 104 nuclear reactors in America today provide the United States with 20 percent of its electricity and 73 percent of its CO2-free electricity, yet no new reactors have been ordered since 1978.
Additionally, the American Energy Act increases our domestic supply of energy by lifting restrictions on the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale. Revenues generated through domestic production will support innovation in renewable and alternative energy sources, like wind and solar technologies.
The American Energy Act is in stark contrast to the Democrats’ misguided national energy tax which raises taxes on all Americans, kills jobs and will lead to more government intrusion. The Waxman-Markey legislation, also known as “Cap and Tax”, is really an $846 billion national energy tax that will be paid by anyone who turns on a light switch, plugs in an appliance, takes a hot shower, or drives a car. It is estimated that the proposal will raise electricity rates 90% after adjusting for inflation, gas prices 74%, and natural gas prices 55%. All while eliminating 1.8 to 7 million jobs that our economy so desperately needs.
The Waxman legislation raises prices on consumers by hindering the development of traditional energy sources, while limiting the development of renewable energy. Coal provides the majority of the electricity generation in our country, and this bill will effectively stop coal-fired power plants from being built in the U.S. The cleanest way for utilities to control CO2 emissions is to increase the supply of carbon-free nuclear energy although nuclear is effectively ignored by the bill.
America’s economy is intrinsically linked to the availability and affordability of energy. During this economic slow-down we should be adopting policies that seek to rebuild our economy and create more jobs; we need reliable and affordable energy supplies. Unfortunately, the Waxman legislation would only further cripple our economy. Instead of government mandates and bureaucracy we should focus on policies that support technological advances and consumer choices. The bottom line is that we need policies which encourage investment in environmentally sound, cost-effective practices without stifling innovation and setting our economy further back. We need the American Energy Act.
The American Energy Act Will Protect Our Environment, Lower Energy Costs and Create Jobs
Just days ago House Republicans introduced an “all of the above” solution to cleaning up the environment, lowering energy costs, and creating more American jobs. The American Energy Act, which I strongly support, will increase production of American-made energy in an environmentally-sound manner and promote new, clean and renewable sources of energy such as nuclear, clean-coal-technology, wind and solar energy. The legislation encourages greater efficiency and conservation by extending tax incentives for energy efficiency and rewarding development of greater conservation techniques and new energy sources. Finally, the American Energy Act cuts red-tape and reduces frivolous litigation that hinders energy production.
Specifically, the legislation establishes a national goal to bring 100 new nuclear reactors online over the next twenty years by streamlining a burdensome regulatory process and ensuring the recycling and safe storage of spent nuclear fuel. According to the Department of Energy, the safest and most efficient way for utility companies to control carbon emissions is to increase their supply of nuclear energy. The 104 nuclear reactors in America today provide the United States with 20 percent of its electricity and 73 percent of its CO2-free electricity, yet no new reactors have been ordered since 1978.
Additionally, the American Energy Act increases our domestic supply of energy by lifting restrictions on the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Outer Continental Shelf, and oil shale. Revenues generated through domestic production will support innovation in renewable and alternative energy sources, like wind and solar technologies.
The American Energy Act is in stark contrast to the Democrats’ misguided national energy tax which raises taxes on all Americans, kills jobs and will lead to more government intrusion. The Waxman-Markey legislation, also known as “Cap and Tax”, is really an $846 billion national energy tax that will be paid by anyone who turns on a light switch, plugs in an appliance, takes a hot shower, or drives a car. It is estimated that the proposal will raise electricity rates 90% after adjusting for inflation, gas prices 74%, and natural gas prices 55%. All while eliminating 1.8 to 7 million jobs that our economy so desperately needs.
The Waxman legislation raises prices on consumers by hindering the development of traditional energy sources, while limiting the development of renewable energy. Coal provides the majority of the electricity generation in our country, and this bill will effectively stop coal-fired power plants from being built in the U.S. The cleanest way for utilities to control CO2 emissions is to increase the supply of carbon-free nuclear energy although nuclear is effectively ignored by the bill.
America’s economy is intrinsically linked to the availability and affordability of energy. During this economic slow-down we should be adopting policies that seek to rebuild our economy and create more jobs; we need reliable and affordable energy supplies. Unfortunately, the Waxman legislation would only further cripple our economy. Instead of government mandates and bureaucracy we should focus on policies that support technological advances and consumer choices. The bottom line is that we need policies which encourage investment in environmentally sound, cost-effective practices without stifling innovation and setting our economy further back. We need the American Energy Act.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Bedford Boys
Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s Weekly Column: June 5, 2009
Honoring the Bedford Boys
Across a vast ocean, 11 boys from Bedford, Virginia are buried overlooking the windswept beaches of Normandy. Bedford lost 19 during the D-Day liberation…the greatest proportional loss suffered by a single town on that day. In words inscribed on the wall of a chapel that lies amidst the rows of crosses we are given the following charge: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the glory of their spirit.”
As we commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy we remember their sacrifice and honor their lives which were tragically cut so short. Courage, honor and loyalty -- these are the threads of the American fabric. And these are the qualities these fine young soldiers so nobly exemplified.
This week I had the privilege of attending a special screening of the new documentary “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind”. It was an amazing tribute to those brave young men from Bedford who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we hold so very dear and a community that pulled together in the ultimate display of resilience.
We, the beneficiaries of this seemingly endless stream of valor, often fall short in our efforts to commemorate those who bought with blood the freedom that is our birthright. But try we must… for theirs is a noble story… full of sacrifice for a cause greater than one’s self and so on this special occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy I would like to encourage folks to visit the National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford. This memorial serves as a place to honor and remember not just the famed Bedford Boys but all our brave men who played a role in the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time.
While we gather this week to honor our brave veterans of the past, it is also important to remember our active duty military who are heroically serving our country today. Daniel Webster once said, "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it." From the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marines, to the Coast Guard, Webster was speaking of the patriots who have put their lives on the line for our nation. These noble individuals deserve our honor, our respect and our appreciation. From the earliest days of our nation, American patriots have served the twin causes of freedom and justice whenever our nation has asked it of them.
On June 6, 1944, over 150,000 service members landed on the beaches of Normandy with the assistance of over 5,000 ships and 11,000 airplanes. The Allied forces suffered nearly 10,000 casualties before the invasion was complete. Today we are grateful for the sacrifices made by these brave men who so nobly defended our nation on foreign soil and allowed us to enjoy the freedoms and liberties of our great country.
Honoring the Bedford Boys
Across a vast ocean, 11 boys from Bedford, Virginia are buried overlooking the windswept beaches of Normandy. Bedford lost 19 during the D-Day liberation…the greatest proportional loss suffered by a single town on that day. In words inscribed on the wall of a chapel that lies amidst the rows of crosses we are given the following charge: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the glory of their spirit.”
As we commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy we remember their sacrifice and honor their lives which were tragically cut so short. Courage, honor and loyalty -- these are the threads of the American fabric. And these are the qualities these fine young soldiers so nobly exemplified.
This week I had the privilege of attending a special screening of the new documentary “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind”. It was an amazing tribute to those brave young men from Bedford who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we hold so very dear and a community that pulled together in the ultimate display of resilience.
We, the beneficiaries of this seemingly endless stream of valor, often fall short in our efforts to commemorate those who bought with blood the freedom that is our birthright. But try we must… for theirs is a noble story… full of sacrifice for a cause greater than one’s self and so on this special occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy I would like to encourage folks to visit the National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford. This memorial serves as a place to honor and remember not just the famed Bedford Boys but all our brave men who played a role in the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time.
While we gather this week to honor our brave veterans of the past, it is also important to remember our active duty military who are heroically serving our country today. Daniel Webster once said, "God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it." From the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marines, to the Coast Guard, Webster was speaking of the patriots who have put their lives on the line for our nation. These noble individuals deserve our honor, our respect and our appreciation. From the earliest days of our nation, American patriots have served the twin causes of freedom and justice whenever our nation has asked it of them.
On June 6, 1944, over 150,000 service members landed on the beaches of Normandy with the assistance of over 5,000 ships and 11,000 airplanes. The Allied forces suffered nearly 10,000 casualties before the invasion was complete. Today we are grateful for the sacrifices made by these brave men who so nobly defended our nation on foreign soil and allowed us to enjoy the freedoms and liberties of our great country.
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