Securing Our Nation With Clean, Affordable Energy

There is an energy crisis in America. We’ve heard about it on the news. We’ve seen it reflected in our international policy. We’ve felt it in our wallets at the gas pump.

The Chamber has deployed a team of the nation’s foremost energy experts and advocates to advance policies that address this crisis. We have also created the Institute for 21st Century Energy, which we will significantly expand early in 2008. With these assets, the Chamber will sustain a vigorous grassroots education and advocacy campaign to move the nation to serious action on the fundamental energy realities that threaten our economy and security.

Congress and the president should act immediately to address the pressing visa shortage issues that are already resulting in economic damage.

With energy demand forecast to grow by one-third between now and 2030, even with gains in efficiency, we must tap more of America’s tremendous domestic reserves of coal, oil, and gas.

The Chamber is also committed to supporting innovation in the energy arena. Diversifying our energy supply, investing in alternative sources and fuels, and achieving greater efficiency should be a part of any comprehensive strategy—but we will still rely on traditional sources such as coal, oil, and gas.

Since these fuels emit the greenhouse gases that are believed to contribute to global warming, we must develop technologies that enable their use while also limiting carbon emissions. The expansion of nuclear energy must be part of any strategy addressing both our growing energy needs and climate change.

It would be fundamentally unfair to American families to sacrifice their jobs and their dreams by adopting policies that damage our economy or fail to address a global problem with a global response and technological solutions.

Without American energy options, our nation can be held hostage by those who choose to—or choose not to—meet our energy needs. The Chamber and its Institute for 21st Century Energy will provide the expertise, grassroots strength, and influence to change this unacceptable threat to the family budget and our nation’s security.