Virginia Foxx: “This past week, we were in our districts to visit with our constituents, to learn from them and to celebrate America's…”

“This past week, we were in our districts to visit with our constituents, to learn from them and to celebrate America's Independence Day. Much of my time was focused on the issue of energy and the need for energy independence because constituents are concerned with the high costs of energy and how these costs are impacting their businesses and lives. Republicans believe in an all-of-the-above approach for energy independence. Republicans believe that energy diversity leads to energy security, and there were plenty of examples in the district for me to visit. In Boone, students from Appalachian State University's Solar Homestead Team showed me the home they are preparing for the 2011 Solar Decathlon competition to be held on The Mall here in Washington, D.C., in September. The Solar Homestead team is advancing renewable energy systems through research on phase change, material energy storage, the integration of solar photovoltaic panels, and concentrating solar thermal systems for domestic hot water. While much money has been invested in this project by both the public and the private sectors, the hope is that the research will result in the ability to utilize alternative, renewable energy sources that will be able to provide low- cost energy homes for those in need. Clyde and Pat Colwell have developed Carolina Heritage Vineyard in Elkin, North Carolina, an energy-efficient small business which is benefiting from a taxpayer-funded solar system.…”