Thomas Daschle: “the events of the last year have highlighted what Americans have known since the 1970s, our economic security and our…”

“the events of the last year have highlighted what Americans have known since the 1970s, our economic security and our national security depend on our energy security. Americans need--and deserve--an energy plan that truly moves us towards energy independence. America's appetite for energy continues to grow each year. Today we import nearly sixty percent of our oil. And the problem is getting worse, not better. Over the next 10 years, the United States is expected to consume roughly 1.5 trillion gallons of gasoline, most of it refined from imported oil. We need to reduce our growing dependence on foreign oil. We need to ensure the reliability and security of our energy supply. And we need to do so in a way that is good for our families, our economy, and our environment. There is no doubt in my mind that we can do all of these things, if we're willing to invest in new ideas, new technologies, and new approaches to old problems. As we begin this energy debate, I think we should keep in mind four key goals. Any energy plan we pass should increase our energy independence, it should be good for consumers, it should create jobs, and it should be responsible, both environmentally and fiscally.”