| Friends,
America’s $1
billion per day addiction to foreign oil is a direct national security
threat to our country – this is serious long-term problem that
requires real solutions. President after President and Congress after
Congress have tried to solve the problem, but inside the beltway politics
and special interest meddling have kept our nation dependent on foreign
oil imports for decades.
Recently, I introduced
H.R. 1380, the NAT GAS Act of 2011 to answer the call for energy security.
This legislation is driven by the need for America to quickly reduce
its dependence on foreign oil, and to give American families and businesses
options instead of being forced to fill their tanks with $4 per gallon
gas. Natural Gas is cheaper, cleaner, more abundant and best of all
– it is made right here in Oklahoma. Click here for more information
on the bill.
Below is an editorial
on my efforts from the Tulsa World I wanted to share with you. The energy
solution we have been looking for is sitting right under our feet.
NAT
GAS Act is one step toward energy independence
Tulsa
World Editorial
June
22, 2011
There
is no doubt that the United States must find ways to divorce itself
from the economy-crushing weight of foreign oil. First District U.S.
Rep. John Sullivan has one plan. Unfortunately, he's getting beaten
up for it by elements of his own party.
Sullivan,
a Republican, has introduced the NAT GAS Act, which would help put American
vehicles onto compressed natural gas with the help of tax credits.
For
his effort to help make the U.S. energy independent, he has been attacked
by the American Conservative Union, which formerly has given him high
marks. The fact is, any politician who strays from this ultraconservative
herd will get hammered.
The
ACU's criticism is easily dismissed as bullying and political posturing.
Sullivan,
along with the rest of the Oklahoma congressional delegation as well
as many other Republicans and Democrats in Congress, is doing what's
right for the country and Oklahoma.
The
U.S. continues to be dependent on the oil of foreign countries, many
that disdain the U.S. Depending on the expert, the U.S. oil reserves
could begin a downward cycle in either 30 years or 60 years. At that
point there still will be oil in the ground, but the cost to consumers
will be astronomical.
For
that reason, and many others - including environmental concerns - the
U.S. must begin now to find alternate fuels. In fact, the country is
at least 30 years behind.
The
NAT GAS Act is an effort to begin that process. The act would provide
tax credits based on weight of a vehicle and increase the refueling
property tax credit. Those provisions would be limited to five years.
The
act would be an economic boon for Oklahoma, which holds considerable
reserves of natural gas.
There
are some questions concerning CNG's ability to power large vehicles
such as trucks and the costs of converting vehicles from gasoline or
diesel to CNG. But those are problems that can be overcome.
But
first, the incentive must be there to induce companies and American
drivers to make the change. The NAT GAS Act is an important piece of
legislation. It is one possible solution to our pressing fuel problem.
Sullivan
should be praised rather than punched.
Sincerely,
Representative John Sullivan
(6/22/2011) |
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