James M. Jeffords: “I address the Senate on the matter of the need for continued U.S. investment in energy efficiency projects in other…”

“I address the Senate on the matter of the need for continued U.S. investment in energy efficiency projects in other countries, as well as our own. I recently submitted my view on this matter to a publication of the Alliance to Save Energy, but I feel now, particularly in these times of high gasoline prices, that I should make a few remarks to the full Senate on this issue. Fluctuating energy prices and instability in the Middle East once again are prompting calls for energy independence for the United States. In our efforts to meet that goal, we cannot forget that the energy use of other countries directly effects both the supply and price of our energy resources here at home. Federal efforts to ensure freedom from fluctuations in energy prices have been advocated by every President, both Republican and Democrat, since 1973 and the infamous oil boycott. As Americans we count on energy to protect our security, to fuel our cars, to provide heat, air conditioning and light for our homes, to manufacture goods, and to transport supplies. In all of these needs, we, as consumers, pay the price for fluctuations in the global energy market. Our efforts to guarantee adequate energy supplies in the U.S. should prompt us to again take a hard look at energy efficiency not only here, but abroad.”