James M. Talent: “I rise in support of S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which can certainly be described simply that it…”

“I rise in support of S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which can certainly be described simply that it will open a portion of the gulf to exploration for oil and natural gas. I don't want to be understood as criticizing or begrudging anybody their opinions in opposition to the bill, but it seems to me that given what the country has gone through and is going through because of the high cost of energy, it should not be a difficult debate to allow the United States to explore for oil that is within or close to its borders, doing that in a way that is sensitive to the environment and to other considerations in order to produce more oil and natural gas that will lower costs, ease the pressure on our consumers, and allow our economy to grow and continue to produce jobs. How difficult is it in a time such as this to decide that we are in favor of getting more oil and natural gas? I speak as a person who offered the renewable fuel standard in committee. I am cochairman of the renewable fuels caucus. I am a huge believer that ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable fuel attained through those feedstocks and other feedstocks is the future of this country in terms of energy. It is the way we are going to get energy independence and reduce dependence on foreign oil in the long term. But our people need relief now, or as soon as we can get it to them. Natural gas prices set record highs last winter. They exceeded $15 per thousand cubic feet.…”