Fortenberry: Build energy future now
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said Friday it’s time for the United States to mount “a man-on-the-moon effort” to move to a sustainable energy future.
“We should seize this moment” when $4-a-gallon-gas has dramatized the need to build a bridge to renewable energy sources, he said.
“Responsible domestic production, including offshore (oil) exploration and development in an environmentally responsible manner, can help increase our energy independence,” the 1st District Republican congressman said.
“We must also fully integrate conservation, new technologies and a variety of renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels into our energy strategy.”
America needs “a bold new energy vision now,” Fortenberry said during an interview in his Lincoln office.
Dependence on foreign oil has created economic, environmental and national security vulnerabilities for the country, he said.
The price of gasoline has captured the nation’s attention and can serve as the catalyst for development of a comprehensive energy policy, Fortenberry said.
And Nebraska is positioned to be a leader in development of sustainable energy, he said.
Gas prices are the top concern expressed by his constituents in eastern Nebraska, Fortenberry said.
“This moment should rattle us and compel us to act.”
Fortenberry proposed tapping the revenue stream fueled by offshore exploration to provide tax credits that spur development of wind and solar energy.
“Congress has been nibbling at the margin,” he said. “It’s time to expand the full range of opportunities we have.”
In transportation, he said, it’s time to develop battery technology for motor vehicles.
“As we move aggressively to build capacity for sustainable energy, Congress should encourage the creative and innovative role of small entrepreneurs,” Fortenberry said.
In the recently-enacted farm bill, Fortenberry inserted an initiative that would provide support to rural communities seeking to become self-sufficient in energy production through the use of renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, biofuels and biogas.
Fortenberry is a co-sponsor of legislation to extend tax credits for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
“We should seize this moment” when $4-a-gallon-gas has dramatized the need to build a bridge to renewable energy sources, he said.
“Responsible domestic production, including offshore (oil) exploration and development in an environmentally responsible manner, can help increase our energy independence,” the 1st District Republican congressman said.
“We must also fully integrate conservation, new technologies and a variety of renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biofuels into our energy strategy.”
America needs “a bold new energy vision now,” Fortenberry said during an interview in his Lincoln office.
Dependence on foreign oil has created economic, environmental and national security vulnerabilities for the country, he said.
The price of gasoline has captured the nation’s attention and can serve as the catalyst for development of a comprehensive energy policy, Fortenberry said.
And Nebraska is positioned to be a leader in development of sustainable energy, he said.
Gas prices are the top concern expressed by his constituents in eastern Nebraska, Fortenberry said.
“This moment should rattle us and compel us to act.”
Fortenberry proposed tapping the revenue stream fueled by offshore exploration to provide tax credits that spur development of wind and solar energy.
“Congress has been nibbling at the margin,” he said. “It’s time to expand the full range of opportunities we have.”
In transportation, he said, it’s time to develop battery technology for motor vehicles.
“As we move aggressively to build capacity for sustainable energy, Congress should encourage the creative and innovative role of small entrepreneurs,” Fortenberry said.
In the recently-enacted farm bill, Fortenberry inserted an initiative that would provide support to rural communities seeking to become self-sufficient in energy production through the use of renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, biofuels and biogas.
Fortenberry is a co-sponsor of legislation to extend tax credits for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
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