Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:14 am Saturday, May 26, 2001

A comprehensive energy plan for America

By Staff
May, 201, 2001
America has a serious energy shortage. President Bush and Congress are working on a comprehensive plan to address it.
Currently, I am leading a Working Group' in Congress to forge a consensus on legislation that will comprise the comprehensive energy plan. The group is comprised of members of Congress, working with the Bush Administration in studying proposals for a national energy policy.
One of our primary goals is to protect consumers from wild fluctuations in energy prices by increasing and diversifying America's energy supply.
Dependent
The fact is, we have become too dependent on foreign oil. As a result, we are now at a crucial time in developing an energy policy for both the short and long-term.
Americans are hurting today, but tomorrow will be tougher if we don't unite around a comprehensive energy policy.
Over the next 20 years U.S. oil consumption will increase by 33 percent and demand for electricity will rise by 45 percent. Future energy demand is going to vastly outstrip our supply if no action is taken. The quicker we act on a comprehensive plan, the sooner consumers will get some relief.
We are working on an energy plan that contains the following five components:
Modernize and increase conservation Expanding conservation by increasing funding for energy efficiency programs, encouraging the development of fuel-efficient vehicles, and creating tax credits to encourage consumer conservation.
Modernize and expand energy infrastructure  Outdated regulations have frozen America into an antiquated energy supply network designed for 1950, not 2001. Our plan will help create a new, high-tech energy delivery network by expediting permitting for infrastructure improvements, expanding research on reliable energy transmission, and tearing down regulatory barriers that hurt consumers by preventing them from having lower energy bills and more dependable energy.
Diversify
Diversify energy supplies Deploying the latest technologies to increase environmentally-friendly exploration and production of domestic energy resources to diversify our supply. We support investing in new energy technology, expanding the use of alternative and renewable energy such as wind and solar, and providing for the safe expansion of nuclear energy.
Improve and accelerate environmental protection New anti-pollution technologies now allow us to increase our energy production while protecting our environment. Our strategy will cut emissions from electric power plants and increase funding for clean coal research. An integrated approach can yield a cleaner environment, a stronger economy and a sufficient supply of energy for the future.
Strengthen America's energy security  We want to protect Americans from big fluctuations in energy prices and supply by helping low-income families with heating and cooling assistance, reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and building strong relationships with energy producing nations in our own hemisphere.
As we move forward developing and implementing an energy plan, we must focus on producing a more reliable, affordable, and environmentally-clean supply of energy for the future.
We must take action now, instead of waiting and hoping the energy crisis will go away. I'm pleased that Congress and the President are stepping up to the plate by working to address the energy crisis to help maintain America's leadership and our quality of life.
U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss., represents Mississippi's Third Congressional District. Write to him at 427 Cannon Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, or call him at (202) 225-5031.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025