Sam Gibbons: “no one doubts and no one questions that we need a balanced, comprehensive responsible energy policy in this Nation. By…”

“no one doubts and no one questions that we need a balanced, comprehensive responsible energy policy in this Nation. By importing nearly 60 percent of our domestic oil from foreign countries, we are leaving our Nation's security vulnerable to the whims of these importing countries. We must increase the supply of domestic energy and promote conservation as a form of safe and reliable power, while at the same time promoting a clean and healthy environment. Along with conservation efforts, technological advancements will allow us to meet our energy needs for decades, even centuries to come. New technologies, like gasoline-electric hybrid cars, clean coal, hydrogen fuel, second-generation geothermal, and other such innovations will allow us to avoid problems like those in California, while ensuring a clean environment as our legacy for our children. Mr. Speaker, California's fast-paced society is not capable of supporting itself through energy shortages and rolling blackouts. Neither is the rest of the country. However, since Governor Gray Davis has been showing more interest in his political consultants rather than his constituents, the crisis in his homeland has begun spreading like a catastrophe and has put the Nation on the brink of engulfing other States. It is time to take action now.”