Charles W. Stenholm: “today the Blue Dog Democrats will unveil our version of what our national energy policy should look like and should be.…”

“today the Blue Dog Democrats will unveil our version of what our national energy policy should look like and should be. We believe that most, if not all, of our colleagues will find tremendous interest in a program that creates a balanced approach, one that expands energy supplies, one that recognizes that energy production in the United States is equally important as that produced outside of the United States. In fact, more so. It enhances environmental standards. It promotes energy efficiency. It promotes research and development, and it provides reliable and affordable supplies. Mr. Speaker, it matches a very important truism: we cannot produce food and fiber in the United States without oil and gas, and we cannot produce oil and gas without food and fiber. We need to be a partnership in all aspects of producing the energy needs of this country. We encourage our colleagues to take a good look at our suggestion. We look forward to working with both sides of the aisle in developing this national energy policy, as well as with the administration.”