Mike Levin: “I am supporting the energy bill before us today because I feel that it is a step forward in establishing a sound energy…”

“I am supporting the energy bill before us today because I feel that it is a step forward in establishing a sound energy policy for our Nation. With oil prices soaring to over $60 per barrel, consumer gasoline prices continuing to rise, and the impacts of global climate change increasingly apparent, we need to move toward diversity of our energy supply and reduction of our dependence on oil. The bill before us today includes provisions that will increase the diversity of our Nation's fuel supply, encourage investment in infrastructure and alternative energy technologies, increase domestic energy production, take critical steps to improve the reliability of our electricity supply, and improve energy efficiency and conservation. This bill is not a perfect bill, but on balance it moves toward a sound energy policy that will lead the way to greater energy security and efficiency for the United States. It will increase our domestic energy supplies in a responsible manner, provide incentives to move toward more and diversified supply options, and provide consumers with affordable and reliable energy. When we consider energy policy, it is always a balance. Many factors must be taken into account--the environment, national security, our economy and jobs. Each and every vote on this bill required a balancing of these factors to determine what is best for Michigan and for our country. Our policies have long ignored the problem of U.S.…”