Chuck Hagel: “the one driving factor in the advancement of mankind has been energy. Fire, oil for heat and lamps, water mills, coal…”

“the one driving factor in the advancement of mankind has been energy. Fire, oil for heat and lamps, water mills, coal, electricity, refined oil, hydro power, nuclear power. Advancements in energy have fueled the great advancements of civilization. Today, energy touches every facet of our lives. It heats, cools, powers, and lights our homes, our places of business, our schools, and our hospitals. It fuels our modes of transportation whether on road, rail, sea, or air. It powers up our computers, the Internet and the information superhighway. It goes into the production of food, medicine, clothing, and every consumer product ranging from household appliances to health and beauty products. It allows the stock markets to open each morning around the world. It powers the transactions of commerce and business. It fuels the planes, ships, tanks, submarines, and weapons that protect America. Energy is the great connector. It fuels the productive capacity of the world. It affects world stability. Energy is serious business. America must have a national energy policy that ensures we have reliable, stable, and affordable sources of energy. This cannot be neglected. To do so leaves our Nation vulnerable on all fronts. Energy policy ties together America's economy, standard of living, national security, and our geopolitical strategic interests around the world--and our future.”